‘Centre lacks commitment in tackling air pollution in Delhi’

NEWDELHI:A coalition of organisations on Tuesday said that the Union government lacks commitment in tackling air pollution in Delhi and asked people to tweet directly to the environment and power ministers to voice their concerns.

Raising three major issues, the ‘Help Delhi Breathe’ coalition, through a statement, criticised the Centre’s move to support car manufacturers to allow registration of Bharat Stage-III vehicles, reopening of Badarpur coal power plant and possible dilution of emission control norms of thermal power plants.

The coalition includes organisations like Centre for Environment and Energy Development , Greenpeace, Swechha, United Residents Joint Action and Delhi Clean Air Forum.

Greenpeace India campaigner, Sunil Dahiya, as part of the coalition’s statement, said there are a series of wrong decisions taken by the government.

“Badarpur plant, which was shut down last winter, should never even be allowed to reopen. Similarly, Centre should not have supported vehicle manufactures, who ignore the April 1 deadline,” Dahiya said.

“There are reports in the media that the power ministry is discussing with environment ministry on possible extension of emission control regulations of thermal power plants, which were announced two years ago soon after the Paris Climate Agreement,” he added.

According to him, every day that the government delays action on air pollution, more people die.

The Centre recently came out in support of auto manufacturers, urging the Supreme Court to allow the companies to sell their existing stock of BS-III vehicles even after Bharat Stage-IV emission norms come into force from April 1.

Badarpur plant which was shut down last winter should never even be allowed to reopen. Similarly, Centre should not have supported vehicle manufactures who ignore the April 1 deadline. SUNIL DAHIYA, Greenpeace India campaigner