DPCC chairman stopped study to ascertain pollution sources in Delhi sans govt nod: Gopal Rai

Pic/PTI

The Delhi government's first-of-its-kind study to determine pollution sources in the national capital has been halted unilaterally on the orders of Delhi Pollution Control Committee Chairman (DPCC) Ashwani Kumar, alleged city Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI.

In a press conference, Gopal Rai said the Delhi Cabinet had approved the study proposal in July 2021 and signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur in October 2022, reported PTI.

"The estimated cost was over Rs 12 crore. The Delhi government had released Rs 10 lakh to IIT Kanpur for the procurement of necessary equipment," he said.

The minister claimed that Ashwani Kumar, who took up the role of DPCC chairman in December, made a file note earlier this year, expressing concerns about the "substantial expenses associated with the study", reported PTI.

Following several meetings with IIT Kanpur scientists, Kumar issued orders on October 18 to stop the release of the remaining funds to IIT Kanpur, effectively cancelling the study, Gopal Rai said, reported PTI.

"It's very unfortunate that such a decision has been made at a time when Delhi urgently needs scientific data to address its pollution problem," he lamented.

The minister said Kumar also did not inform him or the Cabinet about his decision, reported PTI.

Rai added that he has requested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to suspend DPCC chairman Kumar for his "insensitive and irresponsible behaviour", reported PTI.

Real-time source apportionment studies help identify factors responsible for an increase in air pollution at any spot, such as vehicles, dust, biomass burning, and emissions from industries so that preventive measures can be taken accordingly, reported PTI.

The Delhi government will ask prominent scientists to review the pollution source apportionment study after winter, the Delhi environment minister added, reported PTI.

Earlier today, Environment Minister Gopal Rai urged the states in the National Capital Area to ban firecrackers ahead of the upcoming Diwali keeping in view the measures put in place in the city to tackle pollution, reported ANI.

The minister said that during Dussehra, which was celebrated on Tuesday, there were lesser bursting of firecrackers and if the same continued for Diwali then it will have a better impact on pollution levels in Delhi, reported ANI.

"I think that comparatively, firecrackers were burst at lesser number of locations this time (during Dussehra). I would like to once again request the states in Delhi-NCR to ban (firecrackers) because it is easily available to people in their states. I think if NCR states ban it too, this will have a better impact on Delhi," Gopal Rai said.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)