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India’s Parliament debates toxic air danger

Traffic plies on a relatively clear day in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. India's Parliament has discussed the toxic air threatening the lives of the capital region's 48 million people, with opposition leaders demanding the creation of a parliamentary panel to remedy the situation on a long-term basis. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Original Publication Date November 19, 2019 - 3:21 AM

NEW DELHI - India’s Parliament on Tuesday debated the toxic air threatening the lives of the capital region’s 48 million people, with opposition leaders demanding the creation of a parliamentary panel to remedy the situation on a long-term basis.

In unprecedented discussions of the issue, the leader of the opposition Congress party, Manish Tewari, said the federal government has let the country’s top court take the initiative in deciding how to combat the problem.

Air pollution in northern India peaks in the winter due to smoke from agricultural fires. The smoke mixes with vehicle emissions and construction dust. Earlier this month, the air quality index in New Delhi exceeded 500, about 10 times the recommended maximum.

On Tuesday, strong winds brought the level down to 249, according to the state-run Central Pollution Control Board.

Tewari and Pinaki Mishra, a lawmaker from the Biju Janata Dal party, demanded that the government give incentives to farmers and provide machines to remove farm stubble to stop the practice of burning fields before planting new crops.

Mishra also demanded a ban on poor-quality firecrackers with high sulfur content. Millions of Hindus use fireworks during weddings and religious festivals throughout the year.

Opposition lawmakers also demanded that coal-based power plants switch over to less-polluting natural gas.

Pollution controls have been imposed in the Indian capital region, such as banning some construction to avoid dust, reducing traffic and prohibiting the use of diesel generators. But the steps have had little effect because state governments have failed to co-operate in tackling pollution.

Data released last year by the World Health Organization showed India had 10 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities.

News from © The Associated Press, 2019
The Associated Press

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