New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday accused the BJP-led central government of negligence in addressing the worsening air quality in Delhi and North India.
During a high-level meeting with officials from concerned departments at the Delhi Secretariat, Rai instructed them to strictly follow the guidelines and restrictions outlined under GRAP-IV.
Rai emphasised the alarming rise in pollution levels, exacerbated by stubble burning and other factors, with several areas recording AQI readings surpassing 400.
“The entire North India has now fallen into the grip of severe pollution. Elderly people are facing difficulty breathing, and schools are being forced to close. People’s lives are being continuously impacted by this,” he said.
He further highlighted the severity of the situation, noting, “In North India, Bahadurgarh’s AQI has reached 477, Bhiwani 468, Churu’s 472, Gurugram’s 448, and Dharuhera 410. The impact of pollution, combined with the changing weather, is becoming increasingly deadly across North India.”
“GRAP-IV has been implemented in Delhi, under which the entry of large trucks and BS-IV diesel vehicles has been banned, and all construction and demolition activities have been completely restricted. Only CNG, electric, BS-VI diesel, and commercial vehicles providing essential goods and services will be exempt,” he said.
“All schools have been closed, except for classes 10 and 12. Instructions have been given to provide masks to students. Guidelines have been issued for this. The Health Department has been directed to form a special task force to ensure the treatment of pollution-related patients,” he added.
Rai criticised the central government for its inaction, particularly the silence of the Union Environment Minister, accusing the BJP-led administration of failing to take responsibility for the worsening situation.
He noted that while Punjab had made significant strides in reducing stubble burning by 80% under the AAP government, Uttar Pradesh saw an increase in such incidents during the same period.
“When the Aam Aadmi Party government was formed in Punjab in 2022, a total of 47,000 incidents of stubble burning were reported between October 15 and November 17. The Punjab government took significant steps, and as a result, in 2024, there were only 7,500 incidents of stubble burning during the same period,” Rai pointed out.
“In contrast, during the same period, there were 1,500 incidents of stubble burning in Uttar Pradesh in 2022, which has now increased to 2,500. On one hand, we have succeeded in reducing stubble burning incidents in Punjab by about 80 percent, while on the other hand, there has been an increase in such incidents in Uttar Pradesh,” he added.
“The Aam Aadmi Party is making consistent efforts, but the BJP’s neglect has worsened the situation. In Delhi, BS-IV diesel buses, known for causing pollution, continue to operate, and the BJP government refuses to stop them,” Rai highlighted.
Rai alleged that if the central government had taken responsibility and collaborated with all states to create an effective plan, the people of Delhi and North India wouldn’t have to face such severe conditions.
He pointed out that in August, he had sent a letter to the Union Environment Minister urging the government to form a plan with central agencies, state governments, Delhi, and IIT Kanpur to address the current situation, including artificial rainfall to disperse smog. Despite this, no meeting had been held to address the issue.
“Several months have passed, yet the BJP government has neither found the time nor seen the necessity to address the pollution crisis,” he said, adding that this delay has left Delhi’s residents to suffer the dire consequences of pollution. Even now, there’s no sign of proactive steps from the central government.
He urged the BJP government to take immediate action to address the pollution crisis, calling the current situation “unacceptable” and demanding that emergency measures be implemented to protect the health and safety of North India’s residents.
