Khattar, Kejriwal resolve: Smog-free Delhi by 2018

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 15

After a war of words, Haryana and Delhi Chief Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Arvind Kejriwal today reached a broad consensus on “sustained efforts” to make Delhi smog-free next winter. Kejriwal held a 90-minute meeting at Khattar’s residence here which primarily centred around air pollution and stubble-burning.

Also present at the meeting were Environment Ministers and top officials of the two states. “We agreed upon the need for action on many measures aimed at preventing the recurrence of smog in the National Capital Region (NCR) in the winter of 2018,” a joint statement by the two CMs read. “We resolve to put in sustained efforts in pursuance of the jointly identified action points in the coming weeks and months.” 

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In a brief interaction with the media later, Kejriwal said it was important that the country’s top political executive, both in states and at the Centre, collectively found a solution to the problem of smog. “I believe today’s meeting is just a beginning. We had a discussion on crop-burning, on vehicular pollution and also on bypasses which are being built and on introducing CNG vehicles,” he said.

Khattar said the problem of smog was a common concern. “We are taking steps... Delhi is the country’s capital and we will collectively try to ensure it does not recur.” He said satellite pictures showed that cases of stubble-burning in Haryana had dropped this year.

The Haryana CM had earlier snubbed his Delhi counterpart after he accused Haryana of not doing enough to help farmers get rid of stubble. 

Significantly, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh refused to meet Kejriwal, saying: “The issue does not require any inter-state discussion but must be addressed by the Centre immediately.” 

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Till we are able to offer farmers viable solutions, we cannot expect them to completely give up burning crop residue as it's a matter of their livelihood and survival — Capt Amarinder Singh, CM, Punjab