Indian officials lament inaction of cities with world's worst air
Only a handful of India's 100 most polluted cities have drawn up plans to combat air pollution despite being asked to do so three years ago, senior government officials said on Wednesday after a damning report by the World Health Organisation.
India is home to the world's 14 most polluted cities, the WHO said, based on the amount of particulate matter under 2.5 micrograms found in every cubic metre of air.
Environment ministry officials said the WHO's findings were embarrassing but not surprising. "It hurts India's image, hurts the India story, hurts tourism, hurts medical tourism," said one official, ruing that fewer than 30 cities had an action plan ready to fight air pollution. "India will eventually overcome the problem, but my frustration is with the timeline."
The ministry could spend about 7 billion rupees ($105 million) this fiscal year to help cities set up air-quality monitoring systems and buy equipment like water-sprinklers to settle dust, said the officials, who declined to be identified, citing government policy.
Kanpur is the world's most polluted city. #15 is Kuwait.
China breathes a sigh of relief, and then chokes.
WHO Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database (update 2016)
Also at Conde Nast Traveller.
(Score: 4, Funny) by archfeld on Friday May 04 2018, @09:02PM (1 child)
I read recently that India had drawn up a plan that included burnt offerings on the shores of the Holy Ganges, seeking a miracle to clear up the smog.
For the NSA : Explosives, guns, assassination, conspiracy, primers, detonators, initiators, main charge, nuclear charge
(Score: 3, Insightful) by frojack on Saturday May 05 2018, @01:41AM
That's probably quite true.
Some of those organ donors don't always survive some rich bastard's medical tourism.
But then there is also the Toilet issue [pri.org].
The air is not the most polluted part of India.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.