Lok Sabha polls 2014: Curbing pollution top priority for Okhla voters

NEW DELHI: It's not power or water that is weighing on their minds. People living close to the Okhla waste to energy plant have decided to vote in the general election to demand clean air. About 120 residents from adjoining areas like Sukhdev Vihar, Sarita Vihar, New Friends Colony and Haji Colony resolved on Sunday not to consider candidates who don't have curbing pollution on their agenda.

Residents say AAP is the only political party to have promised action against the plant during the assembly polls. But, no party or candidate has till now made this a plank for the Lok Sabha elections. "When AAP was voted in Delhi, environment minister Saurabh Bhardwaj had promised to shut down the plant. AAP had included the issue in their manifesto; no other party has commented on this serious environmental issue. We have decided to vote for a party that is committed to taking action," said Ranjit Devraj, a resident.

After the Okhla waste plant issue featured in a popular TV series on contemporary issues produced by actor Amir Khan recently, more residents have joined the campaign. "Our campaign had run out of steam. But the show has spotlighted the issue again. We have decided to support only the party that helps us in closing this plant. We are watching the campaigns very closely," said Seema Alvi, a DU professor.

Residents had a meeting on Sunday to discuss why the government had failed to act despite mounting evidence. They quoted from Central Pollution Control Board reports which mention high levels of dioxin and particulate matter in the area. Many doctors were also present. Dr Nita Misra of Holy Family hospital said, "We are shortly going to hold medical camps to ascertain the health effects."

Rishi Bansal, a law student and resident of New Friends Colony, said flyash from the plant gets scattered all the way up to Maharani Bagh, New Friends Colony, Haji Colony, Sarita Vihar and Sukhdev Vihar. "It has been noticed falling in the Okhla subzi mandi and becoming a serious health hazard," claimed Bansal.