AAP blames Haryana for worsening pollution levels in Delhi
Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has blamed neighboring Haryana for the current air pollution crisis in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). During a media address on Monday, AAP National Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar demanded an analysis of the anti-pollution measures adopted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Haryana since 2014. She also claimed that air pollution in the national capital witnessed a 31% decline this year, citing data.
Why does this story matter?
Every year, Delhi's air quality usually dips between November 1 and November 15 as farmers in neighboring Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh increase stubble-burning activities. Moreover, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) recently revealed that 4,160 farm fires were recorded in these states until Sunday, the highest this season. However, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai earlier blamed farm fires in UP and Haryana, and not the AAP-governed Punjab, for the national capital's pollution crisis.
Stubble burning in Haryana just 100km away: Kakkar
Citing Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) data, Kakkar claimed there was a 50-67% decline in stubbing burning in Punjab this year. "The stubble burning in Punjab is about 500km away from here and...Haryana is 100km away," she said. Adding Delhi's air pollution has reduced this year, she said, "In the Economic Survey 2022-23, the central government acknowledged that the air quality in Delhi has been the best in the last eight years."
Check out Kakkar's comments on Delhi pollution
Delhi pollution: High-level meeting as AQI hits 'severe plus'
Kakkar's comments came as Delhi's average air quality index (AQI) was reported to be 471 on Monday morning, with its air quality remaining in the "severe plus" category for the second day. Amid the crisis, the Delhi government on Monday announced the odd-even vehicle rationing rule will be implemented from November 13 to 20. Furthermore, schools have now been shut until Friday for all students, except for those studying in Classes 10 and 12.
Recalling Kakkar's earlier remarks on Delhi pollution, Haryana
Earlier on Saturday, Kakkar told ANI that it was due to the relentless efforts of the Delhi government that the national capital witnessed over 200 days of good air quality in 2023. "Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and our environment minister are continuously working on the ground... We are monitoring the air quality everywhere, but other governments are not even doing the monitoring," she added.
