Delhis Air Quality Crisis: Anil Bhardwaj Criticizes Governments Inaction
Anil Bhardwaj slams Delhi government for failing to tackle rising air pollution and focusing on event management instead of real solutions.
New Delhi, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : Former Congress MLA Anil Bhardwaj has launched a scathing attack on the Delhi government regarding the alarming rise in air pollution levels. He highlighted that on Diwali, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi soared to a staggering 1,500. In the past week, there has been a significant increase in the number of patients suffering from pollution-related ailments. Bhardwaj accused the government of prioritizing populist announcements and event management over effective action.
Bhardwaj stated, “The number of patients has risen sharply. The situation is far from normal. On Diwali, the AQI reached 1,500, which is unacceptable. The continuous rise in air pollution undermines the government’s claims, which are now proving to be hollow. The Delhi government makes grand announcements while focusing on running cruises on the Yamuna. But what is the actual state of that cruise? It’s not a large cruise; I would call it a slightly bigger boat. It does not resemble a real cruise at all.”
He questioned the government’s intentions, saying, “Are you merely trying to distract people with event management, claiming we have launched a cruise on the Yamuna? The real questions are: Is the Yamuna clean? Is the air around it clean? Is Delhi’s air clean? The air we breathe is heavily polluted, and in such circumstances, these claims are deceitful. The government should have introduced concrete programs. Over the last 12-13 years, no government has taken substantial action.”
Bhardwaj recalled that during the Congress administration, the public transport system was transitioned to clean fuel, specifically CNG, despite facing considerable opposition. “This decision was made because it concerned people’s lives. Delhi is a vast city where citizens must constantly travel for jobs, schools, and businesses. The alarming level of pollution in Delhi has escalated over the years. In the late 2000s, Delhi was recognized as one of the greenest capitals, but now it ranks among the most polluted.”
He also raised concerns about possible data manipulation regarding pollution levels. “When pollution levels rose, attempts were made to downplay the situation to keep the public uninformed. But this is not a solution. The people of Delhi demand sustainable solutions. You have seen the pollution levels rise consistently over the past 12 years. I have previously stated that Delhi was once considered a green capital. The Congress government provided lasting relief by transitioning public transport to clean fuel. We urge the government to stop event management, cease misleading the public, and take direct, concrete steps to relieve the citizens of Delhi.”
