The contentious issue of Delhi's severe air pollution is scheduled for a heated discussion in the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Friday. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has set the stage for a political confrontation, asserting that the debate will reveal the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as the primary entity responsible for the capital's environmental crisis.
Political Blame Game Intensifies Ahead of Assembly Session
Minister Sirsa pointedly noted that AAP's Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Atishi, who had previously demanded a discussion on pollution, has been absent from the House for the past two days. "We want the issue of pollution to be discussed in the Assembly. Atishi, who used to say that this issue should be discussed, has not come to the House for the last two days. Tomorrow, this issue will be discussed and the people will know that AAP is responsible for the problem of pollution in Delhi," Sirsa was quoted as saying by ANI.
This statement signals a likely combative session where the ruling party and the opposition will clash over accountability for the city's persistent poor air quality.
Current Air Quality and Weather Forecast
On the ground, Delhi witnessed a marginal improvement in air quality on Thursday morning. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 276, which is classified in the 'poor' category. This marks an improvement from the AQI of 336 ('very poor') recorded on Wednesday morning. The 24-hour average AQI for Wednesday stood at 289.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted dense fog conditions for Friday and Saturday, which could potentially trap pollutants and worsen air quality again.
NGT Directs Action on Yamuna River Pollution
In a related environmental development, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued fresh directives concerning the polluted Yamuna river. The tribunal has ordered the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to submit comprehensive water quality data for the Yamuna, specifically covering the stretch from the Wazirabad Barrage to Asgharpur village.
A bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel took note of a report submitted by the Delhi government on liquid waste management. The tribunal observed that the report identified "discharge of treated, partially treated, untreated sewage through various drains falling into the Yamuna is the main cause of water pollution in the river, particularly in the stretch between Wazirabad Barrage and Asgharpur village."
A critical finding highlighted an ongoing shortfall of 88 million gallons per day (MGD) in sewage treatment capacity in the national capital. In its order dated December 22, the NGT mandated, "The water quality data of the Yamuna river stretch between Wazirabad Barrage and Asgharpur Village in compliance with prescribed standards may be disclosed by DPCC in the next report."
Furthermore, the tribunal directed Delhi's Chief Secretary to submit a detailed, tabulated progress report. This report must encompass data on sewage generation, sewer connectivity, drain-wise discharge, the operational performance of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), measures to prevent sewage ingress into stormwater drains, and sludge management protocols. The NGT has appointed Advocates Katyayni and Vikrant Badesra as Amicus Curiae to assist in the matter.
The convergence of the air pollution debate in the Assembly and the NGT's strictures on water pollution underscores the multifaceted environmental challenges facing Delhi, with governance and accountability remaining at the core of the discourse.
