Delhi government again seeks permission from Center for artificial rain, also appeals to PM for intervention

New Delhi : The pollution situation in Delhi is getting worse every day. For the last several days, the air quality index in Delhi NCR has crossed 400, which has every possibility of crossing 450 in the coming time. With pollution reaching dangerous levels in Delhi, Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday urged the Center to call an emergency meeting to deal with the issue.

Talking to reporters, Rai said that the Delhi government has sought permission from the Central Government for artificial rain to reduce pollution, but despite repeated requests, no action has been taken by the Center till now. He said that he will again write a letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav in this regard. Rai also said that it is the moral responsibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in this matter.

The situation did not improve even after GRAP-4 was implemented.

Several restrictions have already been implemented in Delhi under the Graded Response Action Plan- 4 (GRAP-4) to curb pollution. Delhi government is continuously taking steps for this but all these efforts are proving inadequate. Rai said, “GRAP-4 restrictions are in place in Delhi and we are taking all possible steps to reduce vehicular and industrial pollution. “A ban on entry of private vehicles and trucks has been imposed with the aim of reducing the number of vehicles entering the city.”

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Center requested to call emergency meeting

He said that he is consulting experts to reduce smog in Delhi. Under this, artificial rain has emerged as a solution. This can help reduce pollutants and clean the air. However, he expressed his displeasure when there was no response from the Center on this issue. He said that the Union Environment Minister has not responded to the repeated requests of the Delhi government to call an emergency meeting on the issue of serious pollution situation and to allow artificial rain. “If the central government cannot take action then its environment minister should resign,” he said.

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Accusations against states with BJP government

Rai also called upon Prime Minister Modi to intervene in this matter and said that it is his moral responsibility to take action in this regard. Rai said that he is going to write another letter to the Union Environment Minister requesting him to call an emergency meeting. “The Delhi government is ready to work closely with the Central government, but the Center should take the lead by convening a meeting of experts from IIT Kanpur, who have done extensive research on artificial rain,” he said. Rai said that to do this, permission and cooperation of various central departments is required. He also demanded that GRAP be implemented across North India. He alleged that rules related to this are being violated in BJP led states. The minister also made it clear that if the pollution situation in Delhi continues to be like this in the coming days, then GRAP-4 will remain in force and the Delhi government will not give any relaxation.

(with agency input)