Delhi's Arvind Kejriwal, Haryana's ML Khattar say they will work together to tackle smog

As Delhi's fight with rising pollution levels continues, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today met his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar to discuss ways to check stubble burning and vehicular pollution.

Following the meeting, both the chief ministers addressed a joint press conference and said Delhi and Haryana will work together to check the menace of smog.

"We had a very positive discussion, we will take all steps possible to tackle the situation," Arvind Kejriwal said with Manohar Khattar by his side.

Khattar called air pollution a "common concern" and said that Haryana will work towards ensuring that Delhi has better air quality levels. "Satellite data shows that stubble burning has significantly reduced in Haryana," Khattar said.

Earlier, the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted, "Myself, Delhi environment minister and environment secretary (are) on our way to Haryana to discuss issues related to pollution with the Hon'ble CM of Haryana and his team. Look forward to a fruitful discussion".

Myself, Del Env Minister n Env Secy on our way to Haryana to discuss issues related to pollution with Hon'ble CM of Haryana and his team. Look forward to a fruitful discussion- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 15, 2017

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, with whom Kejriwal had sought an appointment as he was anyway coming to Chandigarh to meet the Haryana CM, had refused the request for a meeting. The Punjab CM instead asked Kejriwal to refrain from "trying to politicise" a serious issue and said the matter needed Centre's intervention.

Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal , Environment Minister @ImranHussaain & Environment secy Keshav Chandra leaves for Chandigarh to meet Haryana CM over pollution issue in Northern India. pic.twitter.com/ft4p1rzywb- Narendra Yadav (@INarendra7) November 15, 2017

The Delhi government also moved a fresh petition in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), this time also seeking the tribunal's direction to neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh to implement the odd-even car rationing scheme.

After the NGT rapped the Delhi government for seeking arbitrary exemption for two-wheelers for odd-even scheme, the Delhi in its fresh plea sought the same exemptions for a year or till 2,000 buses are added to the existing public transport fleet.

HERE ARE THE LATEST UPDATES:

2:15 PM: Arvind Kejriwal, Manohar Lal Khattar address a joint press conference, vow to fight the menace of smog together

1:35 PM: Haryana CM tells Kejriwal he has already asked the Centre to provide Rs 1,600 crore for management of paddy straw

1:30 PM: Manohar Lal Khattar makes presentation to apprise Arvind Kejriwal of the steps the Haryana government has taken to manage stubble burning

12:50 PM: Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot writes to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal citing NGT ruling, asks him to reconsider the order to DDA, DMRC and MCDs to hik parking fee by 4 times

12:27 PM: Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority is tracking pollution control board data, may decide on lifting emergency conditions in Delhi tomorrow if weather shows improvement

12:25 PM: Arvind Kejriwal reaches Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar's residence, meeting on pollution starts

12:15 PM: Protesters show black flags to Arvind Kejriwal, throw white powder packs on his car

12:05 PM: Union minister and BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says, "It is good that both states' chief ministers are meeting to deal with the problem of pollution... We all should together deal with the problem of pollution, rising above political colour"

11:50 AM: Sources in Delhi government say Arvind Kejriwal will continue to push for a meeting with Punjab CM Amarinder Singh

11:40 AM: According to sources, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal may also meet his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath. If meeting with Haryana CM is conclusive, Kejriwal may soon meet Adityanath

11:30 AM: Delhi government is likely to submit a list of requests to Haryana government, discuss a ways to solve the issue of stubble burning, asks for PUC certificate at all entry points to Delhi from Haryana

11:25 AM: Delhi environment secretary Keshav Chandra will give a presentation to Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, say sources

11:22 AM: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrives in Chandigarh

11:20 AM: SAD and Congress workers are demanding expulsion of Sukhpal Singh Khaira from the Aam Aadmi Party. The protesters allege AAP defamed Punjab by raking up the issue of drugs and now the party's own leader is reportedly involved in a case of drug smuggling

11:15 AM: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress workers have started protesting at Chandigarh airport against Arvind Kejriwal's visit

10:45 AM: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, state environment minister Imran Hussain and environment secretary Keshav Chandra leave for Chandigarh

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal leaves for Chandigarh, will be meeting Haryana CM ML Khattar. (earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/II5GVOt8O7- ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2017

10:42 AM: Visibility in Delhi has dropped to 1000 metres (or a km) at 8.30 am today

10:40 AM: Smog spell continues in Delhi, 7 trains cancelled and another 9 rescheduled, 26 trains are running late

(Inputs from Ashutosh Mishra, Satendra Chauhan)

ALSO WATCH: Arvind Kejriwal: Delhi has turned into a gas chamber