MUMBAI, Feb 27: Union Minister Piyush Goyal dismissed the notion that farmers in Punjab are responsible for pollution 500 kilometers away in Delhi as “ridiculous” on Thursday.
Goyal, who oversees the commerce and industry sector, urged everyone to “think critically” before arriving at such conclusions.
“When it comes to Delhi, don’t believe anyone who claims that farmers from Punjab are the source of the pollution,” Goyal stated.
“Just think about it… I question how pollution travels 500 kilometers, bypassing the skyscrapers of Gurgaon to reach my home in New Delhi,” he remarked during an event hosted by the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Blaming farmers is “ridiculous,” Goyal asserted, clarifying that he also does not support stubble burning.
After summer harvests, farmers often burn stubble to ready their fields for winter crops, an action that is frequently cited as a major contributor to high pollution levels in the national capital.
Delhi’s air quality often remains poor or hazardous for extended periods, raising significant health concerns due to the elevated pollution levels.
Goyal pointed to construction activities and vehicle emissions as the primary sources of urban pollution and urged a shift towards precast construction methods and electric mobility.
Both alternatives present cost advantages and compelling business cases for change, he noted.
Regarding mobility, switching from conventional internal combustion engines to electric vehicles makes financial sense. He encouraged Indian businesses to adopt electric options for transporting goods.
“Instead of blaming others, can we reflect on our responsibilities? Can we consider adopting electric mobility for personal and company use?” Goyal challenged the audience of industry leaders.
In construction, he highlighted that the global trend is moving towards precast methods, which are faster, more efficient, and less damaging to the environment.
The minister, representing Mumbai North in Parliament, questioned whether one could find airborne dust or deteriorating footpaths in cities like Dubai or Singapore as prevalent as in India and urged collective action to improve the situation. (PTI)
