Uttar Pradesh Pushes for Airshed Coordination to Combat Air Pollution

The Uttar Pradesh government has urged the Centre to set up an airshed coordination committee to tackle air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), a major pollution hotspot. The proposed approach aims for coordinated efforts across states, addressing pollution that travels beyond city and state boundaries.

The Uttar Pradesh government has called on the Centre to establish an airshed coordination committee to manage air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), officials confirmed.

As one of India's most polluted regions, the IGP sees a significant rise in pollution levels during winter due to factors like low temperatures and slow wind speeds. This environmental decline has notably reduced life expectancy by approximately seven years for those living in the region, according to the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).

The proposed airshed approach would promote coordinated efforts across states, crucially addressing pollution that moves beyond city and state borders. This strategy has garnered additional support from Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, who has also advocated for the Centre to adopt an airshed model to combat regional air pollution.

(With inputs from agencies.)