AMN / NEW DELHI
A thick blanket of haze continue to cover the national capital Delhi with pollution level remaining very high and breaching the safe limit by over 17 times at several places. Union Environment Minister Anil Dave said Delhi is witnessing an ’emergency situation’ due to alarming pollution level.
He said, his ministry has called a meeting of Environment Ministers of all neighbouring states tomorrow to curb stubble burning by farmers which has made Delhi a gas chamber.
Mr. Dave said the situation is bad, particularly for children, patients, women and elderly. Mr. Dave said, he is also exploring the possibility of calling a meeting of Chief Ministers of all neighbouring states on the issue.
Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung has also called a high level meeting tomorrow on the issue. The meeting will discuss immediate, short-term and long-term measures to combat the growing air pollution in the city. Delhi Chief Minister, PWD Minister, Environment and Forest Minister, Chief Secretary, NDMC Chairman and all three Municipal Commissioners are among those attending the meeting.
Meanwhile, the first day’s play of two Ranji Trophy games in New Delhi was cancelled yesterday due to poor light caused by smog. The players complained of irritation in eyes and breathing problems. The matches cancelled were Group A league encounter between Bengal and Gujarat at the Feroz Shah Kotla and Group C match at Karnail Singh Stadium between Tripura nd Hyderabad.