"69 per cent of pollution comes from outside the capital," says: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai

Delhi Govt. officials will work from home till 21 November to prevent pollution rates

 New Delhi: The capital is still covered with thick pollutant clouds. According to the Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai stated that the total contribution of Delhi in air pollution is 31 per cent, rest 69 per cent comes from outside the city.

He also added that it is impossible to curb pollution without a joint-action plan by the Centre.

The Environment Minister Mr Rai quoted from a report published by a Delhi-based think tank called the Centre for Science and Environment which based its report on the data released by the Ministry of Earth Sciences' agency called System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

Today, Mr Gopal said, "As per CSE report based on SAFAR data between October 24 and November 8, Delhi's contribution in air pollution is 31 per cent and the remaining 69 per cent of the pollution is from outside Delhi. The report matches 2016 TERI data which said 36 per cent pollution released from Delhi and 64 per cent from outside."

He also added that "No matter how hard we try, not possible to get rid of 70 per cent outside pollution without a joint-action plan by the Centre and a monitoring team. Data establishes that contribution to Delhi pollution is largely from outside. Delhi people have been constantly attacked over pollution."

Post-Diwali night, the capital is continuously shrouded by thick black clouds of dust and pollutants. The citizens are suffering from severe breathing problems, itchy throats and watery eyes since then.

Delhi's air quality continues to be in the "very poor" category for the fifth consecutive day today, according to the System of Air Quality & Weather Forecasting & Research (SAFAR).

However, the overall Air Quality Index reduced from 379 on Wednesday to 362 today.

Meanwhile, announcing emergency measures to reduce pollution, Mr Gopal Rai on Wednesday said that there will be 100 per cent work from home for the government departments till November 21.