The worsening air quality in Delhi has ignited a political tussle, with both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Atishi. Recent data indicates that the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi has reached 293, a decline from the previous 24-hour average of 285.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari expressed concerns on Friday, stating, “This is a failure of both state and central governments. It’s not the first time; this is an annual issue.” He highlighted that despite the Supreme Court’s intervention, the public continues to suffer.
The air pollution crisis in Delhi holds added significance this year due to the upcoming Assembly elections, with the current Assembly term set to end in February.
On October 18, the air quality further deteriorated, with multiple monitoring stations reporting levels near the 300 mark, categorizing the air quality as ‘very poor.’ Residents woke up to a thick layer of smog, prompting Delhi officials to sprinkle water on roads to mitigate pollution.
Air Quality Index Categories
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
BJP and AAP Exchange Accusations
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari criticized the AAP government for its failure to address pollution levels despite being in power for a decade. In response to inquiries about the government’s action plan, AAP Minister Gopal Rai announced a crucial meeting scheduled for 1 PM at the Delhi Secretariat.
Blaming adverse weather conditions, Rai noted, “The wind speed in Delhi is decreasing, and temperatures are dropping rapidly, which has worsened air quality.” He also accused the BJP-led governments in neighboring states like Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh of being unresponsive.
A significant factor contributing to Delhi’s pollution crisis is stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. Rai pointed out, “The Supreme Court has mandated the installation of one smog tower each by the Delhi and Central governments. The BJP should visit the smog tower it installed in Anand Vihar to see the results.”
As political parties engage in this blame game, the pressing issue of air quality in Delhi continues to impact the daily lives of its residents.
