Air pollution: Govt writes to UP over crop burning

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain on Wednesday urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to prevent burning of agriculture residue in his state during the winter months to minimise air pollution. The minister said that with the onset of the winter season, Delhi faces critical levels of air pollution.

Hussain on Wednesday wrote a letter to Yadav and requested him to issue necessary instructions. “I am sure that with concerted efforts we would be able to control air pollution in the region,” the minister added.

The letter sent by environment minister Imran Hussain said that with the onset of winter, Delhi faces critical levels of air pollution, aggravated by meteorological conditions like low wind speed and low temperatures. 

These tend to trap pollutants and aggravate PM 2.5 (fine, respirable pollution particles) and PM 10 (coarse pollution particles) levels in the national Capital.

“Detailed analysis of ambient air quality data shows PM 2.5, PM 10, gaseous pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and secondary pollutants like ammonia (NH3) an increasing trend in October and November which coincides with agricultural waste burning in neighbouring states,” the letter read.