'Delhi govt to bear cost of aerial water sprinkling'

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government is ready to bear the cost of the aerial sprinkling of water across the national Capital, Delhi Environment minister Imran Hussain wrote in a letter to the Union Government.

In the letter to Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Harsh Vardhan, Hussain wrote that in order to curb pollution levels in the city, the Delhi government has found that aerial sprinkilng needs to be done urgently.

"As you are aware, with the onset of winter season, Delhi faces a critical phase of air pollution due to various reasons including stubble burning in neighbouring states," Hussain wrote to the Union Minister.

He further mentioned that abatement of air pollution in Delhi-NCR is one of the most important environmental challenges that need to be tackled on urgent basis.

"Considering the grim situation of air pollution in Delhi, EPCA (Environment Pollution Prevention & Control Authority) in its meeting on October 17 has decided to enforce provisions of very poor and severe categories of GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan)," Hussain wrote.

The minister then requested the Union Government to "kindly propose to Ministry of Civil Aviation, to out an exercise to sprinkle water aerially through helicopter/aircraft to settle particulate matters in Delhi. Delhi government is willing to bear the expenses from the Air Ambience Fund of DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee."

After the Diwali festivities, the Capital woke up to an air quality index of above 400, which is considered to be in the 'severe' category and severe for the health of residents.