PR No – 19
19th November, 2024
New Delhi
PHDCCI stresses need for a long-term solution to safeguard public health, Industries and economic stability amid Delhi smog crisis
The northern regions of India, especially Delhi- NCR, have been hit by severe smog mainly caused by stubble burning and other factors, said Mr Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI. More than 34 lakh MSMEs in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, employing about 70 lakh workers in their respective factories are impacted by the smog, said Mr Hemant Jain.
The combined GSDP of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi is approximately Rs. 30 lakh crore for 2023-24 at current prices. It will have less than 0.5% impact on GSDP of Northern States, including Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, he added.
In view of the same, the enforcement of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region (NCR) has affected the transportation, halting all construction and demolition activities in the area, impacting the industrial activities, leading to rise in costs of production and delay in supply chains, said Mr Hemant Jain.
The additional impact on the health of the workers due to prolonged exposure to smog has affected factory productivity, which is further adding to delays in output, he said.
The industry is taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of smog by following health safety measures, installing air purification plants wherever possible, using cleaner fuel based vehicles and providing safety gears such as masks to the workers among others, said Mr Jain.
PHDCCI being the voice of Industry and Trade emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts between the government, industries, and citizens to tackle this concern. While industries are doing their part, a long-term solution to curb pollution is essential for protecting both public health and economic stability, concluded Mr. Jain.
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Warm Regards,
Media Division, PHDCCI