Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai
– Photo: X/AAP
Expansion
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that artificial rain is needed to remove pollution in the capital. Also, discussion is going on regarding odd even. He said that the Central Government should soon hold a meeting regarding pollution. Also, the Prime Minister should intervene in this matter. At the same time, Delhi’s BJP unit is distributing masks to protect people from pollution.
Gopal Rai again wrote a letter to the Union Environment Minister
Gopal Rai said that artificial rain should be made to make Delhi free from pollution. I am writing a letter to the Union Environment Minister in this regard. The central government should call an emergency meeting. Experts from IIT Kanpur should be called in this. Officials of every department should be called in this. Artificial rain should be initiated as soon as possible.
Earlier, a letter was written to the Union Environment Minister on August 30. After this, a meeting letter was written on 10th October. Wrote the letter again on 23 October. But no reply came from them. After this an online meeting was called. A situation of medical emergency persists. The situation has been improved by artificial rain in many places in the world. Today the BJP government is just sitting. There is no time for the Central Government to even call a meeting regarding this. The Union Environment Minister is not even calling a meeting.
Gopal Rai’s target on central government
Gopal Rai said that artificial rain is needed in Delhi as an emergency measure to reduce pollution and help the citizens. The BJP government is deliberately ignoring the health crisis of North India. The Union Environment Minister has not even taken cognizance of the current situation. We are continuously writing letters to the Center to speed up the approval for artificial rain. But the center is not responding.
We have funds for artificial rain: Gopal Rai
He further said that unless we break the thick layer of smog, Delhi cannot get relief from pollution. The mist can be broken by wind or rain. Aam Aadmi Party is ready to provide funds for artificial rain in Delhi. The Union Environment Minister’s indifference towards Delhi is disappointing and disturbing. Perhaps if I had written a letter to the environment minister of another country, he would have given me an appointment before our central government.
Manoj Tiwari’s taunt on Gopal Rai
On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party is distributing masks to the people in Delhi. On Gopal Rai’s statement, MP Manoj Tiwari said that Atishi should stop serving lies. Maximum stubble has been burnt in Punjab. For information, let us tell you that for the last two days, BJP leaders in Delhi have been distributing masks to the general public. A day earlier, Environment Minister Gopal Rai had held a high-level meeting with officials of the concerned departments at the Delhi Secretariat.
Urged to make artificial rain
After the meeting, Gopal Rai said that he had sent a letter to the Union Environment Minister in this regard that all the concerned central agencies, along with the states, Delhi government and IIT Kanpur, should make an action plan to reduce pollution. When smog blanket is formed due to decrease in wind speed and increase in cold, then artificial rain should be made to break it. He alleged that even after two and a half months, a meeting was not called.
Instructions to strictly implement Group 4 restrictions
To reduce air pollution in the capital, the Delhi government has instructed the officials of the concerned departments to strictly implement the Group 4 restrictions. Environment Minister Gopal Rai in Delhi Secretariat said that in view of the problem of increasing pollution, it has been decided to implement the restrictions of the fourth phase of GREP. After holding a meeting with all the concerned departments, instructions have been given to them to take all necessary steps.
He said that the elderly are suffering a lot due to the serious conditions of pollution. Schools have to be closed. He claimed that in North India, AQI has reached 477 in Bahadurgarh, 468 in Bhiwani, 472 in Churu, 448 in Gurugram and 410 in Dharu Hera. The effect of pollution is becoming fatal due to changing climate across North India. The entire North India is in the grip of severe pollution. People are having trouble breathing. He said that it is time for the Union Environment Minister to take initiative and work together with all the states.
Ban on entry of BS-4 diesel vehicles along with big trucks
Rai said that Grape-4 has been implemented in Delhi. Under this, there is a ban on the entry of big trucks and BS-4 diesel vehicles in Delhi. At the same time, all types of construction and demolition activities have been completely banned. Only CNG/Electric/BS-6 diesel and commercial vehicles providing essential goods and services will be exempted. All schools have been closed, schools will open only for class 10th and 12th students. Instructions have been given to give them masks. The Health Department has been ordered to form a special task force so that pollution related patients can be treated.