Sonia Gandhi expresses concern over Delhi air pollution

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday expressed concern over deteriorating air quality in national capital and cited introduction of CNG-powered public transport by Congress government to tackle issue of pollution. Speaking at presentation of Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, which was given to Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Congress President also recalled steps taken by former prime minister to safeguard environment.

Sunita Narain, director general of CSE, accepted award at ceremony held here to mark Indira Gandhi's 102 birth anniversary.

"We, who live in this capital, torious w as world's most polluted city, can recall difference in air quality when compressed natural gas was introduced in public vehicles," Gandhi said.

"This transformation was me possible by persuasive expertise of CSE and Congress government of day," she said.

city has been witnessing alarming levels of pollution this season with air quality dipping to 'very severe' category. It was during Congress regime led by Sheila Dikhsit from 1998-2003 that cleaner fuel in public transport vehicles was introduced in national capital. Gandhi said that in late 1971, even while being completely engrossed in crisis on India's eastern border with Pakistan, Indira found time to initiate action that led to pass of a landmark law to protect wildlife.

"In midst of all political crises, she found time to launch various conservation programmes of which Project Tiger has become most iconic," Gandhi, who is also chairperson at Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, said. Gandhi said Indira was only foreign he of government to dress first UN Conference on Human Environment in Stockholm in June, 1972. Her speech re still reverberates, she ded.

"She was equally committed to India's culture, to its arts and crafts, to its herit. And deep down, she was a passionate naturalist mesmerized by wonderful natural herit of India, dazzled by glorious bio diversity of India and firmly determined to preserve and protect it," Gandhi said. She ted that CSE's work on water conservation and sanitation was internationally recognised long before current focus on se issues.

In her acceptance speech, Narain said she wants to "give up" every winter when re is smog. "But we can't. We owe it to you, ermous love and respect that we receive from all of you, to continue. Be that dog with bone. Persist and persevere. We have to," Narain said. environmentalist said air pollution is a great equaliser that doesn't distinguish between rich and poor.