BJP promises to address air pollution issue if voted to power

With a WHO survey finding Delhi air as the most polluted, BJP today promised take a number of pro-active steps to save the national capital from disaster if it is voted to power.

"We have in mind a package of initiatives to tackle air pollution, reverse water table depletion and enhance Delhi's green cover and rapid spread of renewable energy. Future is not depressing.

"The war against air pollution is yet to begin. But before that, the BJP needs to be in government at both the Centre and the state," Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan said.

Blaming Sheila Dikshit-led government for increased air pollution, Vardhan said that in the late 1990s, the BJP-led Delhi government had taken the decision to convert all public utility vehicles into CNG which Congress-led government implemented only under pressure from the apex court.

"This step radically reduced air pollution in Delhi, but not for long, because her government ignored the follow-up steps which were recommended by experts," Vardhan said.

The BJP leader also said that there was also evidence that air pollution increases risk of different forms of cancer and even makes people sterile.

"The Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of India, recorded between 2006 and 2009, an increase from 11.4 to 20.4 per cent in certified deaths in Delhi due to diseases in the cardiovascular systems, and an increase from 3.8 to 4.6 per cent in certified deaths due to diseases in the respiratory systems; both of which have direct linkages to air pollution," he also added.

Vardhan added: "For ten years an uncounted number of people died in Delhi of diseases caused by air pollution while Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit claimed she had turned Delhi into a green city."