Battle against Delhi's pollution requires collaboration, says Rai

Delhi's Environment minister Gopal Rai has recently criticised the Central government for its perceived lack of cooperation in addressing the national Capital's severe winter air pollution.

- AIMAN FATIMA

CRITICISES CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FOR ITS PERCEIVED LACK OF COOPERATION

The criticism follows a request by Rai for a meeting with the Union Environment minister to discuss artificial rain, a method reportedly successful in reducing pollution in other countries. Rai emphasised that the battle against Delhi's pollution requires collaboration rather than conflict.

During a press conference, Rai accused the BJP of obstructing progress by reacting negatively to his appeal for cooperation. "When I wrote a letter to the Union Environment Minister requesting a meeting to discuss artificial rain in Delhi, the BJP responded with hostility," said Rai. He elaborated that the Delhi government is prepared to cover all costs related to the artificial rain initiative but requires numerous permissions from central agencies.

Rai noted that in August 2024, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was relatively stable, ranging between 50-70, due to continuous rainfall. He suggested that a similar approach could be useful in winter when pollution levels typically spike.

"Artificial rain has been successfully implemented during emergencies in places like China during the Olympics, Malaysia during a forest fire, and Lahore, Pakistan," he stated.

The Delhi Environment minister highlighted that only 31 per cent of the pollution affecting Delhi originates within the city, with the remaining 69 per cent coming from neighboring states ruled by the BJP, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. "The solution to Delhi's pollution problem lies in joint efforts from all concerned parties, not in creating barriers," Rai asserted.