Delhi's Air Crisis: AAP Faces Allegations Amid Pollution Control Efforts

Congress leader Abhishek Dutt accuses AAP leaders of worsening Delhi's air pollution by celebrating with fireworks. Despite Dutt's claims, Delhi's government, led by Atishi and Gopal Rai, attributes poor air quality to incoming buses and deploys measures like dust control teams and smog guns.

In a sharp political exchange, Congress leader Abhishek Dutt has accused members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of contributing to the already concerning air pollution levels in Delhi by bursting crackers amid the crisis. Speaking to ANI, Dutt said, "These leaders are responsible for the pollution. They indulge in public spectacles instead of taking concrete actions, perpetuating confusion among Delhi inhabitants. Their tactics to deceive the public are long-standing."

On the other side of the spectrum, the AAP-led government has clarified its stance, attributing the alarming decline in air quality to external factors. According to the administration, a significant contributor is buses from Uttar Pradesh entering the national capital. As part of the response, Delhi's Chief Minister Atishi, along with Environment Minister Gopal Rai, conducted an inspection in the Anand Vihar area, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) plummeted to a severe level of 454 at 8:30 am.

Highlighting their strategy to combat the pollution, Atishi outlined recent measures being enforced. Over 99 teams have been mobilized to implement dust control, alongside the introduction of over 325 smog guns. The Public Works Department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi are fully engaged, focusing attention on hotspots like Anand Vihar, particularly impacted due to its proximity to the Delhi-UP border. This morning, Delhi faced another day of poor visibility as a fog blanket settled over various regions, with Dwarka's sector-8 recording an AQI of 311, categorized as 'Very Poor'.

(With inputs from agencies.)