Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologized for the severe pollution levels in the national capital, but accused the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of inheriting the problem from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Manjinder Sirsa also claimed that while it was “impossible” for the 10-month-old government to bring down the Air Quality Index (AQI), the BJP government in Delhi had done a better job of keeping it under control.
The Delhi minister said in a press conference, “It is impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9-10 months. I apologize for the pollution in Delhi. We are doing a better job than the rogue AAP government and we have been reducing AQI every day.”
“Aam Aadmi Party has given us this disease of pollution and we are working to correct it,” he said.
The minister also claimed that Delhi’s air quality has remained better for nearly eight months this year compared to the same period last year. Also read | Delhi AQI reaches ‘severe’: Here’s what air pollution does to your body and who it affects the most
He admitted that pollution levels have worsened in recent times, but claimed that the situation is still better than last year thanks to sustained efforts by the current government in the last 10 months.
Taking a jibe at AAP leaders who staged a protest at the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday over the pollution issue, Sirsa said they failed to take effective steps to tackle the crisis.
“They have done nothing to solve the problem and now they are protesting against the situation they have created. The AQI (air quality index) has remained at a similar level for the last 10 years,” claimed Sirsa.
Delhi pollution
National capital Delhi also reeled in hazardous air conditions on Tuesday as the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 378 early in the morning, placing it in the “very poor” category, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
The air quality showed a marginal improvement compared to Monday, when the AQI touched 427 around 4 pm, which falls under the “severe” category. On Sunday, the AQI was recorded at 461 around 4:00 PM.
As the city continued to choke on high levels of pollutants, all courses in Delhi up to Class 5 were moved online. Older classes will continue to attend lessons in the hybrid mode.
Over 200 flights were also canceled in Delhi due to poor visibility.
