Delhi Minister Gopal Rai has raised serious concerns about the rising air pollution levels in the national capital, calling on the central government for more cooperation in tackling this pressing issue.
Speaking to the media, Rai criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what he perceives as a lack of action to address the pollution crisis that has plagued Delhi. He stated that collective efforts from all levels of government are crucial to effectively combat the deteriorating air quality.
Rai expressed his frustration, asserting that the BJP-led governments at both the state and central levels are not taking the situation seriously. He highlighted that pollution levels continue to rise while the governments in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and at the Centre remain inactive.
He pointed out that rather than taking decisive action, BJP leaders seem to be engaged in distractions or gimmicks, emphasising that air pollution is a significant problem that requires immediate attention and collaboration.
To demonstrate its commitment to addressing pollution, the Delhi government has initiated an anti-dust campaign. Since its launch on October 7, this campaign has seen the formation of 523 teams that have inspected over 2,700 construction sites.
These inspections have resulted in fines totaling Rs 17.40 lakh for violations related to dust pollution. The campaign is being closely monitored from the Green War Room, with strict enforcement of 14 rules designed to mitigate dust pollution at construction sites.
As of Saturday, the air quality in Delhi has reached alarming levels. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded was 226, categorised as 'Poor' according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
The most concerning figures were observed in areas such as Akshardham and Anand Vihar, where the AQI peaked at 334, classifying it as 'Very Poor.' Other areas, including AIIMS and India Gate, also reported AQIs in the 'Poor' range, indicating that many residents are at risk of experiencing breathing difficulties.
In response to Rai's comments, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to the banks of the Yamuna River to launch a counterattack against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leader, Arvind Kejriwal.
Poonawalla accused Kejriwal's government of allowing the air and water quality in Delhi to deteriorate to toxic levels. He challenged Kejriwal to join him and other party leaders in taking a dip in the Yamuna, which he claimed has become poisonous.
Poonawalla criticised the Kejriwal administration for failing to fulfil its promise to clean the Yamuna River by 2025. He recalled previous promises that aimed for a cleaner river by 2020, indicating that the current situation is a setback for residents, especially with the upcoming Chhath Puja celebrations. He argued that the funds allocated for cleaning the river have instead been misused for self-promotion and advertisements by Kejriwal and his party.
The AQI's classification as 'Poor' means that prolonged exposure to the current air quality can lead to discomfort for most individuals, while exposure to 'Very Poor' air can result in respiratory issues.
The alarming air quality figures have raised public health concerns, prompting citizens to call for more proactive measures from both state and central authorities.
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