High pollution in Delhi: EU to install air purifiers at its office, residences

New Delhi, Feb 25: Concerned over high pollution level in the capital, European Union has directed its diplomats here to soon install air purifiers in their offices and residences.

Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to India Joao Cravinho said the decision has been taken keeping in mind the well-being of the EU staff here.

"We don't need to monitor the pollution level, the US is doing that... We don't need that... But we need to respond for the safety of our staff, the EU delegation living in the city here," Cravinho told PTI on the sidelines of the 7th EU-India Environment Forum here.

Last week, the US had announced its plans to expand air quality monitoring to some of its missions in several countries including India to help raise awareness about the dangers of pollution.

"We haven't bought them (purifiers) yet, but we have received instruction from our headquarters (in Brussels) to do so... And, our colleagues in delegation are doing market research study to find the best product," he said.

When asked if other European countries are also engaging in similar programmes, he said, "Many of them are doing that... Many are moving in that direction... But, each country is doing it from their own side, I do not decide that," he said.

The EU diplomat also expressed concern over a recent report that has put Delhi as "more polluted than Beijing". "Seeing from statitics... Yes, it's a matter of deep concern... Two things are happening, two movements at the same time... Delhi is getting more polluted and Beijing is getting less polluted. Because in China they sought to address the issue, and they have implemented some policies and I hope it happens here in India as well," he added.

Talking of Swachh Bharat Mission, he said, a similar parallel could be the cleaning of our rivers over several decades.

"In terms of comparable area... like clean Ganga here, I can think of cleaning of our important rivers like Rhine, Danube, and Thames... They were very polluted... We have cleaned them over 50-70 years," he said.

PTI