Crop Stubbles Burning-Main reason of Smog in North India

Smog in North India

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal blamed burning of crop stubbles in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal told the biggest reason seemed to be burning of stubble in agricultural fields in Haryana and Punjab in huge quantities. He also said fireworks during Diwali marginally added to the pollution. The other things inside Delhi did not drastically change. So the smog is mainly due to smoke from farm fires.

The main sources of pollution in Delhi are vehicular pollution, road dust and open burning of wastes only. He claimed these could not be held responsible for smog. "I saw smoke across Punjab, Haryana during my visits. We need Centre's help. We are hiring an agency in a week or two to study the sources of pollution in Delhi a fresh. The Centre needs to intervene," he said.

The Delhi CM said in the prevailing circumstances, vehicle restriction measures like odd-even will not succeed in bringing down smog. Arvind Kejriwal was clearly on the defence as his government was blamed for inactivity by rivals BJP and Congress. Arvind Kejriwal himself has been blamed for devoting most of his time in poll-bound states of Punjab and Goa rather than focusing on governance in Delhi.

CM announced on November 6 a ban on construction and demolition for the next five days and shutting down the city's Badarpur thermal power plant for the next 10 days. Except for emergency services, generator sets have been banned for the next 10 days. Sprinkling of roads began from November 7 and vacuuming from November 10 to contain dust pollution. All Delhi schools have been closed till November 9.