INDIA bloc will form govt, prioritise air quality: Jairam Ramesh

New Delhi: Congress on Friday said Delhi was among the most polluted cities in the world and ‘INDIA bloc govt’ would address the air quality issues on priority.

Addressing a press conference at Delhi Congress’ office, MP Jairam Ramesh said five environment-related problems were affecting Delhi, including thermal power plants in the neighbouring areas, deforestation of Aravalis, brick kilns and dirty Yamuna, and BJP-led central govt had completely failed to solve them in the past 10 years.

“Delhi is among the most polluted metropolitan cities in the world. The city’s administrative setup is such that the primary responsibility to solve pollution issues lies with Centre since multiple states are involved,” Ramesh said. “If Centre does not do anything, even state govt can’t do much,” he claimed.

Delhi’s pollution is mainly caused by 11 thermal power plants, which are violating the guidelines on pollution control, Ramesh alleged. “INDIA bloc govt’s top priority will be to ensure that all guidelines set by National Green Tribunal are followed and enforced.”

The Congress general secretary said chemical contamination caused by the three landfill sites, widespread deforestation, illegal mining and illegal construction in the Aravalis, and the existence of about 350 brick kilns around Delhi, mostly in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, were the other main causes.

“The pollution of Yamuna is again a big issue. During Manmohan Singh govt, Yamuna Action Plan I and II were launched to ensure clean and continuous flow of the river with the help of Japan govt, which was scrapped. Due to 10 years of negligence, the state of Yamuna is the same it was 10-12 years ago,” he claimed.

Ramesh also claimed that during Sheila Dikshit govt, funds were allocated for the construction of nine sewage treatment plants, of which six were not working.

He assured that ‘INDIA bloc govt’ would control pollution through a time-bound action plan. Noting that a clean environment is important for public health, Ramesh said Congress guaranteed to enforce all guidelines strictly. He also alleged the effect of the efforts of the past 10 years to control air pollution was not visible.

Under a seat-share arrangement for the Lok Sabha election in Delhi, INDIA bloc constituents Congress and AAP are contesting three four seats, respectively. The polling for the national capital’s seven seats will be held in the sixth phase on May 25.

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