CLIMATE to BLAME For toxic AIR quality In DELHI: Experts

NEW DELHI: The environmentalists said that the recent toxic air quality and smog formation is not caused by any external factor like stubble burning but due to the city's own pollution sources and due to the climate.

MET officials predicted rain on Wednesday which might bring down the pollution level. "The stubble burning has been stopped but still the city is witnessing smog. The government should understand the blaming will not work anymore. They should find out the sources of pollution in the city and stop them," said Anumita Roychowdhuri of Center for Science and Environment.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister of Delhi Imran Hussain reviewed action taken by various agencies or departments assigned with the responsibility of prohibition of burning in the open and prevention of dust at construction sites.

He observed that the local factors contributing to air pollution need to be controlled by all the concerned agencies. The government sought to know the action being taken by the revenue department as well as all the municipal corporations for preventing instances of burning in open.

"The minister offered financial assistance from the Air Ambience Fund to Municipal Corporations, DDA etc., in case they approach Delhi Government with viable action plans for air pollution control," said an official.

The DPCC informed that it has already activated two Whatsapp numbers 9717593501 and 9717593574 for purpose of registration of complaints regarding open burning.