Delhi pollution worries EU: Diplomats asked to install air purifiers

New Delhi: Taking serious note of the grave reports about air pollution in India’s capital city (Delhi) the European Union has directed its diplomats in Delhi to install air purifiers in their offices and residences at the earliest possible.

The information about this decision was revealed by Ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union to India Joao Cravinho on the sitelines of the said the 7th EU-India Environment Forum in Delhi. Cravinho revealed that the decision has been taken keeping in mind the well-being of the EU staff in Delhi.

Cravinho added that they are not monitoring the pollution levels in Delhi because the US is already doing it, but they are responding to the increased pollution levels by directing their staff to take necessary measures as the EU is concerned about safety of their staff.

[File Photo used for representational purpose]

Cravinho also said that they haven’t procured the purifiers yet, but have official instructions from their headquarters in Brussels to do so.

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.

EU’s decision comes just a week after a similar decision by US, where it was revealed that US was intending to expand air quality monitoring to some of its missions in several countries including India to help raise awareness about the dangers of pollution.