Shashi Tharoor's Witty Take on Delhi's Deteriorating Air
Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor delivered a sharp critique of the worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR this Saturday by cleverly reposting a six-year-old social media message. The post featured an image with a satirical message in Hindi, which translated to: "How long will you spend your life smoking cigarettes, bidis, and cigars? Spend a few days in Delhi-NCR instead." This move highlighted the severe pollution levels that have plagued the capital since the Diwali celebrations.
Delhi's Air Quality Crisis: The Alarming Data
According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital recorded an alarming average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 335 at 9 am on Saturday. This reading placed Delhi firmly in the 'very poor' or 'red zone', making it the most polluted city in the entire country. The primary pollutant responsible for this hazardous condition was PM2.5.
The situation has remained grim since Diwali, with air quality consistently fluctuating between the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories, and on some occasions, even deteriorating to the 'severe' level. Despite the implementation of Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), residents have found little respite from the toxic smog.
Government's Response to Combat Pollution
In response to the escalating public health crisis, the Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has announced a significant change in office timings as a precautionary measure. The objective is to stagger traffic and reduce the concentration of vehicles on the roads, thereby helping to lower pollution levels.
The new winter schedule for government offices is as follows:
- Delhi Government offices will operate from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
- Delhi Municipal Corporation offices will function from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Chief Minister Gupta stated that this decision aims not only to distribute traffic pressure evenly but also to provide citizens with better air quality. In a separate action triggered by GRAP Stage II, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has already announced a doubling of parking fees across the national capital to discourage private vehicle use.
