Plans to vacuum clean major national highways passing through Delhi: Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI: In a major step to curb pollution, the Centre is planning to vacuum clean major national highways passing through high density areas like Delhi at least once in a month, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said today.

"Curbing pollution is our commitment and we are planning to vacuum clean all major national highways in high-density areas like Delhi at least once in a month," Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told PTI.

Gadkari said minimising pollution especially in the national capital is on top of his Ministry's agenda and "very soon" a decision on vacuum cleaning of national highways would be taken.

He said a high-level meeting in this regard was on the anvil.

"For Delhi, I want to work seriously," the Minister said adding the cost and other modalities on this initiative will be worked out soon.

Once implemented it will be a major step as to curb pollution.

To check pollution, government has already announced introducing BS-VI emission norms by 2020 and Gadkari has asked automakers not to worry about availability of suitable fuel but focus on developing engines to meet the guidelines.

Gadkari has also been stressing on the need to introduce bio-fuel and electric-operated vehicles to minimise pollution.