The central government, along with the Delhi government and multiple agencies of the city, will sit down to draw up an action plan to solve water and air pollution woes in the next two years, Union Minister for Road Transport and Water Resources Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday. Gadkari said that in the coming days, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Lieutenant General Anil Baijal will convene a meeting to draw up an action plan to make sure the city is free of water and air pollution.

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"We will try to draw up an action plan that will solve Delhi's water and air pollution woes in the next two years. My ministry has already studied the most polluted spots, accident spots and traffic jam spots. We are also using the pre-casted material in road projects to reduce the construction dust," Gadkari said.

Gadkari was responding to questions on the sudden spike in the Capital's air pollution levels. Over the past two days, PM10 levels (particulate matter smaller than 10mm in diameter) spiked 8-10 times beyond safe limits owing to dust storms in Rajasthan and high humidity levels. This has once again exposed citizens to respiratory hazards at a time when the air quality level is usually below hazardous levels.

Gadkari added that the road ministry and environment ministry will coordinate with Delhi government, the city's municipal corporations and the Delhi Development Authority to attend to the city's pollution woes. "We have 11 projects lined up to clean Yamuna under Namami Gange projects. The construction of the eastern peripheral expressway will prevent vehicles going to other states from entering the city. Eventually, it will also help in reducing the vehicular pollution," he added.