Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has issued a sharp retort to critics of her administration's environmental policies, stating that it will take 27 months to address a pollution backlog accumulated over 27 years. The statement, made on 07 December 2025, underscores the scale of the challenge facing the national capital.
Defending Government Initiatives
While countering her detractors, CM Gupta highlighted specific steps taken by her government to mitigate winter pollution. A key initiative involved the distribution of electric heaters to night guards affiliated with various Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs) across Delhi. This measure aims to directly reduce smoke and harmful emissions that traditionally come from open fires lit by guards to keep warm during the cold winter nights.
A Pointed Question to Critics
The heart of the Chief Minister's argument was a pointed question directed at opposition voices. She essentially asked, "Where was your protest before?" This rhetorical challenge implies that the current crisis is a long-term structural issue inherited from past decades, and her government is now actively working on solutions that require time to show substantial results.
The Road Ahead for Clean Air
The announcement frames the 27-month timeline as a committed period for intensive corrective action. By quantifying the problem as a 27-year backlog, the government seeks to manage public expectations while asserting its dedication to a systematic cleanup. The distribution of electric heaters is presented as one of several tangible, on-ground actions being implemented to tackle pollution sources beyond industrial emissions and vehicular traffic, targeting localized contributors as well.
The move to provide heaters is also seen as a dual-purpose intervention, addressing both public health concerns related to air quality and the welfare of essential workers who spend nights outdoors. The success of such targeted measures will be crucial in the broader fight to improve Delhi's notorious air quality index, especially during the hazardous winter months.
