Toxic foam surfaces on Yamuna River in Delhi; BJP labels it 'Kejriwal's poisonous politics'

The BJP also challenged Kejriwal to come along with his party's leaders and take a dip in the Yamuna River.
Men row a boat through the toxic foam which floats on the surface of the polluted Yamuna river, at Kalindi Kunj, in New Delhi, Saturday, Oct 19, 2024.
Men row a boat through the toxic foam which floats on the surface of the polluted Yamuna river, at Kalindi Kunj, in New Delhi, Saturday, Oct 19, 2024. Photo | PTI
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NEW DELHI: As Delhi grapples with rising air pollution, toxic foam was seen floating on the Yamuna River in the Kalindi Kunj area on Saturday.

A thin layer of smog engulfed the national capital as the Air Quality Index dropped to 226 at 8 am, categorised as 'poor' by the Central Pollution Control Board. The highest AQI was at the Akshardham and Anand Vihar area at 334 at 8 am, categorised as 'very poor', followed by an AQI of 253 at AIIMS and surrounding areas. At India Gate, the AQI dropped to 251 at 8 am, categorised as 'poor.'

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI in 'poor' category can cause breathing discomfort to most people with prolonged exposure, while an AQI in 'very poor' category can lead to respiratory illness with extended exposure.

Meanwhile, the BJP launched a blistering attack against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, with saffron party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claiming that it is the poisonous politics of Arvind Kejriwal that has made the water and air in the national capital poisonous.

He further challenged Kejriwal to come along with his party's leaders and take a dip in the Yamuna River.

"The Yamuna water has turned into poison. Arvind Kejriwal claimed that he would clean Yamuna till 2025... the river has been polluted because the fund that was allocated for the cleaning of Yamuna river has been spent by Arvind Kejriwal for advertisements and on himself," Poonawalla claimed.

Hitting out at the AAP for playing a blame game, Poonawalla said, "Now they will blame Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments. The question that arises is why has Delhi become a gas chamber today. The reason behind poisonous water and air is poisonous politics. AAP indulges in polluted blame game politics."

Men row a boat through the toxic foam which floats on the surface of the polluted Yamuna river, at Kalindi Kunj, in New Delhi, Saturday, Oct 19, 2024.
Toxic foam in Yamuna river poses health hazards, warn experts

A resident, Ashish Kumar Meena, said that pollution near the Akshardham area had increased a lot in the past two days, which had been causing problems to the residents.

Speaking to ANI, he said, "the pollution level here has increased a lot in the last two days. It has led to choking in the throat and breathing issues and has also been irritating the eyes. After Diwali, the pollution levels will increase more. The government needs to take steps to control the level of pollution. People who are burning substances in the fire should be punished with fines. The ones who have respiratory problems must be suffering so much."

Another resident said that people should use more public transport, which would help in reducing pollution. "People should use more public transport and try to engage in the practice of carpooling. This would help in reducing the pollution levels in the city," he said.

Earlier on Friday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the air quality is deteriorating as winter approaches the national capital. The highest AQI was reported in Wazirpur.

The minister further informed that the concerned authorities have been instructed to find out the local sources behind the deteriorating air quality.

"Winter is coming and the level of air pollution is increasing. The level has reached the poor category in Delhi. There are 13 hotspots in Delhi where AQI has crossed 300...We have instructed the authorities to find out the local sources behind it," Rai said in a press conference.

Rai had also countered the BJP over the air pollution in the national capital, saying that it had no right to comment on this as the BJP government is sleeping in UP, Haryana, Rajasthan, and the centre.

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