New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said that recent incidents of fires have contributed to raising air pollution in the city.
As the second phase of the odd-even traffic plan nears its end, the minister also said there were more than twice the number of incidents of fire in Delhi between April 15 and 27 this year as compared to last year.
"The recent fire incidents in the capital have adversely affected the air quality of Delhi," Rai said.
The second phase of the odd-even scheme, as per different reports, has not brought down the air pollution levels in the national capital. On some days during the odd-even, the air pollutant concentration also increased, according to data.
Speaking of fire incidents at the Bhalswa and Ghazipur landfill sites, Rai, referring to a probe committee report on the fires, said the fires could've been avoided though the real reason of the fires was methane gas.
However, with regard to the fire at the Yamuna flood plains, Rai expressed his apprehension that it was not an accidental case. He stated that some one could've done it purposefully. Referring to the probe committee report, he said the fire incident at Yamuna flood plains could only occur after someone started a blaze.
On Thursday April 21, fires broke out at north Delhi's Bhalswa area, the Ghazipur landfill site and the Yamuna flood plains opposite Rajghat.
The Delhi government on the day of the incident, formed a four-member committee to probe the incidents.
