Chennai: The government is committed to reduce air polllution level in 122 most polluted cities, said Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.
Speaking at a webinar on the first ever International Day of Clean Air For Blue Skies Monday, he underscored the problem of air pollution and said that in 2014, the government launched the Air Quality Index (AQI) monitoring and today we are tracking the levels of pollution on eight parameters.
He said that with the country now having migrated to BS-VI standards, quality petrol and diesel is provided in the country, which is an important intiative to fight against pollution. He said that in the last few years, roads and highways are being constructed by the government at a record pace and due to this less pollution is taking place in comparison to previous times.
Stressing that States must now work with city specific plans, as every city has different source of pollution the Environment Minister said that the use of electric vehicle must be encouraged. He said, brick kilns in various States should adopt zig zag technology to reduce pollution emerging out of them.
Javadekar said that people participation is must to clean the air. Car-pooling and use of public transport must be promoted.