Delhi gov't puts tackling air pollution as top priority: officials

The local government in the Indian capital has put finding an offbeat solution to the serious air pollution as its top priority, after the anti-graft Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power early this month, said officials Wednesday.

In his first review meeting with the environment and forests department, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal chose to discuss only the rising levels of air pollution in the city, asking officials if the department could offer any immediate solutions to tackle the problem of air pollution.

Kejriwal criticized officials for lack of preparedness for emergency solution to the drastic pollution crisis in the capital city, which has risen to alarming levels due to car emission and industrial pollution.

The World Health Organization's urban air quality index showed Delhi with the highest PM 2.5 (fine, respirable particles). High PM2.5 pollution is linked to cardiac and respiratory conditions.

A joint study by universities of Chicago, Yale and Harvard published recently said that half of India's population may be losing up to three years' lifespan because of bad air.

The European Union has directed its diplomats here to soon install air purifiers in their offices and residences. Endi