2 min readNew DelhiFeb 21, 2015 02:33 AM IST
First published on: Feb 21, 2015 at 02:30 AM IST
After the CSE released a priority action plan for air pollution that included emergency action for smog episodes and improvement in emission standards, a senior member of the AAP is learnt to have got in touch with the organisation. According to sources, an AAP delegation is likely to meet CSE officials in the next week, regarding policy measures for meeting clean air standards.
The CSE action plan, which focusses on rapid improvement in emission standards, control of diesel usage and improvement in transport facilities, was released on Friday. Minutes after the release, sources said a senior AAP leader called CSE chief Sunita Narain and requested a meeting, which is likely to take place in the next week.
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At the release, Narain said, “As the overall air quality of Delhi worsens, our exposure to toxic air increases several-fold. Winter is drawing to a close and we must understand that Delhi cannot afford to face another severely polluted winter such as this one. The AAP has taken over the reins in Delhi; we expect it to now take priority action to control air pollution and protect public health.”
But AAP sources said some of the measures advocated by the CSE might not go down well with the government, particularly suggested curbs on parking and growth of cars. “Eliminating free parking or charging a higher parking fee is not something on our radar right now,” a senior AAP leader said.
Prime among CSE’s demands include the implementation of stringent emission standards for new vehicles — Leapfrog emissions standards to Euro V in 2017, and Euro VI by 2020.
“Delhi’s pollution problem can’t be solved if new vehicles continue to meet Euro IV or BS IV standards that are 10 years behind in Europe. This is the responsibility of the Union government, but the Delhi government has to demand this immediately,” Anumita Roychowdhury, CSE, said.
The CSE has also advocated the improvement and scaling up of public transport and last-mile connectivity.
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