New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena has written to the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab in a number of letters expressing his rising concerns over the alarming rise in air pollution in the capital caused by the burning of agricultural residue, or "parali," in the two adjoining states.
According to the L-G, Delhi is home to more than 2 crore people, the Parliament, the Supreme Court, and many diplomatic missions. It also attracts tourists, visitors, and diplomats who come for summits and conferences, all of whom are harmed by the debilitating air pollution, which is mostly brought on by the smoke and smog from burning crop residue.
Saxena commended Haryana's efforts last year in controlling crop residue burning, which played a significant role in mitigating the air quality issues faced by Delhi.
However, the alarming statistics for the current year are causing deep concern. In Haryana alone, between September 15 to October 11, there have been 340 reported cases of crop residue burning, a stark increase from the 83 cases during the same period in 2022.
Similarly, in Punjab, between the same dates, there have been 1,063 reported cases of crop residue burning, marking an increase of 300 cases from the previous year.
This concerning trend, despite promises from the political leaders in the region to address the issue, has left Delhi residents and authorities grappling with severe air quality issues, Saxena said.
He urged the two Chief Ministers to galvanise available resources and work closely with farmers to find sustainable solutions to this recurring issue.
The L-G also stressed the impact of this air pollution on Delhi's image and the well-being of its residents and urged both states to act decisively.
Meanwhile, Delhi continues its efforts to tackle local sources of air pollution, such as vehicular emissions and dust from roads and pavements.
As the winter season approaches, the focus on controlling crop residue burning becomes even more critical, as Delhi strives to provide its residents and visitors with clean and breathable air.
"In anticipation of all remedial measures at your end, I yet again assure you that we in Delhi are taking every step required to address the issue," the L-G added.
With inputs from IANS