BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI: The Delhi-NCR belt, a pollution hotpot, needs a drastic reduction in pollution levels by up to 70 per cent to enable citizens to lead a clean and healthy life, said Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority Chairperson Bhure Lal.

Mr Lal was speaking at a consultation organized by the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy at O.P. Jindal Global University, Delhi.

“Rag pickers burn rubber tyres during winter season. The city’s old cars cause damage and the vicious cycle of poverty and pollution goes on,” Mr. Lal told DTMT.

He suggested, “The way to do that is to resort to the principle of recycle and reuse, as well as develop a more efficient public transport system.”

The Chief Secretary, Government of Delhi, Vijay Kumar Dev, stressed the need for joint efforts by the government and citizens as well as greater coordination between various stakeholders.

Dev suggested a two pronged strategy including the fixing of responsibility of field level staff in the fight against pollution, along with convergence of attempts made by various stakeholders from policy making to implementation.

Founding Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, Naveen Jindal, said, "The aim of this conference is to bring together all stakeholders with a view to developing a clear understanding and implementable set of measures to tackle air pollution in Delhi."

Experts at the conference called for responsible use of resources, sustainable development, use of technology and a multi-pronged approach to handle the grave public health and public policy challenges posed by air pollution in Delhi-NCR.