CM Kejriwal to Centre: 'Take immediate steps to combat pollution'

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday urged Central Government to take immediate steps to provide relief from city's air pollution and assured full support in all its initiatives. "Pollution has reached unbearable levels across rth India. Delhi Government has taken many steps. Delhiites have made many sacrifices. Delhi suffering for fault of irs," said Kejriwal on Twitter. He added, "Punjab CM also expressed concern. Centre should take immediate steps to provide relief. We will support Centre in all initiatives."

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Severe Sunday

A thick blanket of smog engulfed several parts of Delhi on Sunday morning pushing its air pollution levels into hazardous territory. Visibility dropped significantly in national capital as pollutants hovered in atmosphere. According to private wear forecaster Skymet, air quality in Jahangirpuri dipped to 'hazardous' category in afteron as reading on PM (particulate matter) 2.5 crossed 900 mark. Due to low visibility, flight operations at Delhi Airport were also adversely affected.

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An AQI between 0-50 is considered "good", 51-100 "satisfactory", 101-200 "moderate", 201-300 "poor", 301-400 "very poor", and 401-500 "severe". Above 500 is "severe-plus emergency" category. Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar had slammed CM Kejriwal for "politicising" issue and said that it was "unfortunate" that he was indulging in a blame game. Addressing media persons, Javadekar said, "I think it is unfortunate that a Chief Minister, instead of finding solutions to mitigate pollution is into a blame game."

READ | Javadekar Hits Out At Kejriwal For 'politicising' Pollution In Delhi

Government response

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Friday anunced a string of measures aimed at curbing ar pollution. This includes reintroduction of  Odd-Even scheme from vember 4 to 15, 2019 and staggered office timings for government offices. CM Kejriwal has also asked Capt Amarinder Singh Government in Punjab and Mahar Lal Khattar Government in Haryana to do more to combat rampant stubble burning in ir state.

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(With ANI inputs)