Take preventive steps against air pollution, Delhi Minister tells neighbouring states

New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain on Thursday requested neighboring states to take "preventive measures" against air pollution during winters resulting from crop residue burning.

In a letter to his counterparts in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, Hussain took note of Delhi's situation arising from "adverse meteorological conditions" during the winter season.

"Experience shows that particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, secondary pollutant show an increasing trend in the month of October, November which coincides with agricultural/crop burning in neighboring states," Hussain said.

Hussain also mentioned how the National Green Tribunal and Delhi High Court have, from time to time "directed the neighboring states for submitting the action plan" to prevent air pollution emanating from crop stubble burning after the harvesting season.

Therefore, he said, authorities or officers of your government may be directed to take preventive, precautionary and controlling measures for air pollution resulting from crop residue burning, so that air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR may be restricted during the critical period.