‘Smoke indicates stubble burning widespread in neighbouring states’

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 12

The smoke visible on highways indicates that stubble burning is widespread in the countryside of neighbouring states - Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, said Environment Minister Imran Hussain.

He said this situation led to reasonable apprehension that Delhi might witness and experience another episode of worsening ambient air quality conditions in the coming weeks and months.

It also shows that the Central government and governments of these states have not seriously taken up the issue of preventing stubble burning despite repeated requests from the Delhi government, the minister said.

He said, “In my view such an unpleasant situation was preventable and if the Centre and these state governments wake up even now, northern India can still be saved from disastrous consequences of air pollution in coming days.”

He said farmers had not been incentivised adequately, thereby forcing them to once again resort to burn the agriculture waste residue. Secondly, farmers are finding it more convenient and cheaper to pay fines for stubble burning instead of measures needed for avoiding such burning.

He said, “It is extremely painful that despite repeated requests, the Centre has still not convened high-level meetings with the chief ministers and environment ministers of neighbouring states.

‘Air quality improves as wind speed increases’  

After recording 'poor' quality in the last few days, air in Delhi Friday improved to 'moderate' with increase in wind speed due to development of low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.

The overall air quality index recorded at 4 pm Friday stood at 154, which falls under 'moderate' category, according to a data by the CPCB. —PTI