New Delhi: Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Sunday said the pollution problem in Delhi can only be solved by collective efforts and urged the central government to allow artificial rain during winters as the air quality in the city drops during this period.
Addressing a press conference here, Rai said though the Delhi government has taken several steps to address the problem, the pollution level in and around the national capital still rises in November. “An emergency situation arises in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The Kejriwal government is working to reduce the pollution level. Since our government has come to power, the pollution level has reduced,” he said. But, an increase in the pollution level is seen in November, he said.
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Rai said, “Last year IIT-Kanpur had submitted a proposal that artificial rain or ‘cloud seeding’ can be used in Delhi.” He said that this requires financial management and security permission. Last year the time was very short, so permission could not be obtained. He said, we held a meeting with experts and I wrote a letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav seeking help from the Center. Rai said that he has requested a meeting with central agencies and experts from IIT Kanpur to discuss the proposal of artificial rain.
Rai had written a letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav last week urging the Center to convene a meeting with all stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility of ‘cloud seeding’ to create artificial rain in Delhi to tackle air pollution in winter. He said, “Permission is required from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Home Affairs, SPG, Delhi Government, Airports Authority of India, IMD, CPCB, ASI, BCAS and Uttar Pradesh Government to use this technology in Delhi. We are ready to provide funds and permission from our side, but we need the cooperation of the Center. “
In a press conference on Sunday, Rai said that to tackle the problem of pollution, there is a need for everyone to work together and cooperation of the Center and neighboring states. He cited various steps including the purchase of electric buses and increasing green cover to reduce pollution in the national capital. Referring to the BJP and the Congress, he said, “If other parties have any suggestion to reduce pollution, we will be happy to implement it.”
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The BJP on Saturday slammed the Delhi government, accusing it of indulging in political manoeuvring and correspondence with the Centre on the issue of air pollution instead of taking concrete steps to tackle the health hazard. The ruling AAP has rejected these allegations.
