The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday slammed the Delhi government over the deteriorating air quality in the capital, attributing the crisis in the national capital to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s governance. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla described Delhi as a “gas chamber” and expressed concern over the health of its residents due to the Kejriwal government’s perceived failure.

The air quality in the national capital turned more severe in the past 24 hours with AQI rising over 500. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in various Delhi areas reached alarming levels this year, with readings such as 438 in Lodhi Road, 491 in Jahangirpuri, and 486 and 473 in RK Puram and IGI Airport (T3), respectively.

Also Read:Haze shrouds Delhi as air quality stays ‘very poor’ for fifth consecutive day, AQI at 343

In a conversation with ANI, Poonawalla lamented the deteriorating air quality and accused Kejriwal of allowing AQI levels to rise significantly. Poonawalla said, “Usually when we come to a park, we come to ensure that our health becomes better but today when we have to come to a park in Delhi, one has to wear such kind of paraphernalia and such masks because Delhi has become a gas chamber under Arvind Kejriwal.”

“Mr Kejriwal has ensured that the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in Delhi are at their highest in the last four to five years. Even the American ambassador is commenting on it. It is reaching 600-700 AQI at many places in Delhi. When Mr Kejriwal was not in power in Punjab, he used to blame the (Parali) stubble burning in Punjab, although that was never the main reason of pollution, there are many other reasons internally for the pollution in Delhi,” he added.

Also Read:Explained: Why Delhi faces one of the worst air qualities in India?

Highlighting the increase in stubble burning in Punjab, now under Kejriwal’s government, as a contributing factor to Delhi’s pollution woes, he said, “Now Mr Kejriwal, you have a government in Punjab, but the stubble burning has gone up, which is contributing to the pollution in Delhi. Today, Mr Kejriwal, the health of the children, senior citizens and all the other people of Delhi is at risk, and it is all because of the failure of the Kejriwal government.”

The air quality in several parts of Delhi-NCR plunged to the ‘severe’ category on Friday morning. People said they experienced breathing problems and irritation in the eye, among others. There was a thick haze blanketing the skyline of the national capital and adjoining areas as the Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the 400 mark at multiple locations.

Also Read:Delhi gasps as pollution hits ‘severe’ mark, AQI at 498; schools shut for two days

Delhi govt cannot control pollution ‘completely’

In response to the worsening air quality in the national capital, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai addressed the issue as Delhi faced a ‘severe’ category of air quality on Friday, with Mundka recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 498.

Minister Rai stated that the Kejriwal-led government is taking urgent measures to combat pollution. When asked about the government’s effectiveness in reducing pollution, he stated, “First of all, it is incorrect to assume that the Delhi government can completely control pollution, as the issue of pollution extends beyond Delhi. Sources outside Delhi contribute twice as much to the pollution here as sources within Delhi.”

Rai underlined the government’s proactive efforts, saying, “Thanks to the initiatives of CM Arvind Kejriwal, the Central Government’s report indicated that in 2015, only 109 days out of 365 had good air quality. Last year, we reached 163 days with good air quality, and this year, Delhi experienced over 200 days of good air quality.” He mentioned that the government had successfully reduced the number of pollution hotspots from 13 to 5 over the past year.

Rai also highlighted the critical nature of the next 15 days in November, as weather conditions, with low wind speed and decreasing temperatures, could impact air quality. The government has implemented GRAP 3 (Graded Response Action Plan) rules and called a meeting of relevant departments to address the challenges of enforcing policies and rules effectively.

GRAP stage III implemented

As a reaction to the worsening air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked the third stage of GRAP on Thursday. Stage III of GRAP is initiated when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches the “Severe” range, specifically within the 401-450 range.

The Delhi government also issued an order on Thursday, instructing all government and private primary schools to remain closed for the next two days.

As part of the pollution control measures, the state government has the authority to enforce strict restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in specific areas and may suspend in-person classes in schools for primary grade children up to Class 5.

In line with this, the Delhi government has temporarily suspended primary school classes, both government and private, in response to the severe air quality conditions.

(With ANI inputs)