Expressing concern over the alarming pollution levels in Delhi-NCR, industry body Assocham today urged the Centre and governments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh to establish a clear strategy for aggressively tackling the problem.
Assocham cautioned that increasing air pollution can take a toll on the urban economy by cutting short the lifespan of people, thereby increasing healthcare costs for the government and drive away top executives and talented individuals to other cities having better air quality.
Such negative outcomes may severely impact inflow of investments and hit sectors like tourism, hospitality, outdoor recreation and others, according to the industry chamber.
"Delhi is facing an emergency situation but there is hardly any intention or commitment seen to address the problem as such innovative solutions like using mist cannons, creating a special force to check construction activities, vehicular pollution, rubbish burning and other factors is the need of the hour," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said.
"Promoting use of more efficient and less polluting energy sources, restricting growing number of vehicles and stringent enforcement of pollution laws will help in smooth transition to a more environment-friendly economy in the long-term," he added.
Delhi's air quality was at the season's worst yesterday as a combined effect of smoke from stubble burning and moisture turned the city into a "gas chamber", leaving people gasping and prompting authorities to announce closure of primary schools and a four-fold hike in parking fees among a series of sweeping measures.
Even today, the city was enveloped with a thick blanket of haze, leading to a drop in visibility.
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