Delhi's Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, stated on Tuesday that expecting any elected government to bring down the capital's severe air pollution within a short timeframe is unrealistic. His comments came as a dense, toxic smog continued to blanket Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), posing serious health risks to millions of residents.
Minister Apologises, Blames Previous Government
Addressing the ongoing crisis, Manjinder Singh Sirsa offered an apology for the polluted conditions but defended the current administration's efforts. "It is impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9-10 months," Sirsa asserted. He claimed the government is performing better than the "dishonest AAP government" and is making daily progress in reducing the Air Quality Index.
Sirsa placed the blame squarely on the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regime, calling pollution a "disease" handed over to them. "This disease of pollution is given to us by the Aam Aadmi Party, and we are working to fix it," he said. His remarks echo similar sentiments expressed by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta last week, who called the situation a "backlog of 27 years" of neglect that would require significant time to resolve.
Severe Air Quality Triggers Strictest GRAP Measures
The political statements were made against a backdrop of dangerously polluted air. On Tuesday, key monitoring stations across Delhi reported air quality in the 'very poor' to 'severe' categories. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
- Anand Vihar and Ghazipur both recorded an AQI of 410, falling into the 'severe' bracket.
- The area near AIIMS reported an AQI of 397.
- India Gate's AQI was measured at 380.
With pollution levels breaching critical limits, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforced all measures under Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire Delhi-NCR. Stage-IV, the strictest level of anti-pollution restrictions, is activated when the AQI surpasses 450. These emergency measures are designed to reduce public exposure and prevent further deterioration of air quality.
A Long-Standing Crisis Demanding Time
The severity of the smog has sparked public protests and intense scrutiny of government action. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, speaking at an event in Pitampura recently, challenged protestors and highlighted the historical nature of the problem. She questioned the efforts of previous governments and protesters during their tenure.
"Those who make big statements and protest at India Gate… pollution is not something that appeared today, it has been a problem for years," Gupta stated. She argued that the government needs substantial time to address a crisis decades in the making, famously stating, "The government needs at least 27 months to clear the backlog of 27 years."
As Delhi-NCR residents endure another day of hazardous air, the official stance remains clear: while apologies are offered and actions are underway, a swift solution to the capital's perennial pollution nightmare is not on the immediate horizon.
