India
Delhi chokes on smog, Arvind Kejriwal, Amarinder Singh seek Centre's intervention
Updated : Nov 08, 2017, 07:39 PM IST
Even as Delhi's smog situation continues for the second day, Cheif Minister Arvind Kejriwal is reaching ouit to the national capital's neighbours to find a solution for the problem.
In a series of tweets, Kejriwal sought time with neighbouring Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to discuss the issue.
My office continuously trying to take time from CMs of Punjab n Haryana for me to meet the two CMs. Its an emergency
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 8, 2017
Share your concern over stubble burning and pollution @ArvindKejriwal, Centre alone can solve the problem given its national implications.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 8, 2017
Situation is serious but Punjab helpless as problem is widespread & state has no money to compensate farmers for stubble management (1/2).
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 8, 2017
It is not a matter for inter-state discussion, that won’t help. It requires central govt intervention, at the earliest (2/2).
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 8, 2017
I agree sir that Centre shud take lead. But pl grant me time to discuss if together we can present a plan to centre. Del is choking sir https://t.co/qMQJX6Y4It
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 8, 2017
However, Singh clearly said that “it is not a matter for inter-state discussion, that won’t help.”
Seeking Centre's intervention, both the Chief Ministers said that the Narendra Modi government must take a lead.
The discussion on Twitter seemed to show that there is not much of consensus as to what the state governments must do on their own to tackle the issue.
The air quality in Delhi is not just a localised phenomenon. According to the forecast of the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences' System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research, the "sudden" intrusion of pollutant-laden smoke from neighbouring Punjab and Haryana from the night of November 6 led to the spike as the high quantity of moisture in the city's air trapped the particulates.
The stubble-burning has been a contentious issue among the states. “Every year, Punjab rice farms collectively burn about 7 to 8 million metric tons of leftover plant debris in October and November,” a NASA report said recently.
In Delhi, while Kejriwal and his ministers are maintaining that the situation is being monitored and a requisite steps would be taken on time, the ground reality is the the people of Delhi-NCR are suffering.
The air quality index of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed a score of 487 on a scale of 500, indicating 'severe' levels of pollution. The level can affect even healthy people and "seriously impact" those with existing diseases.