NEW DELHI: Attacking the BJP, Chief Minister Atishi on Sunday alleged that stubble burning, brick kilns and diesel buses in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were “responsible” for aggravating the city’s pollution.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 277 at 4 p.m. on Sunday, which falls in the “very poor” category.
However, Atishi praised Punjab, which is ruled by an AAP-led government, claiming that incidents of stubble burning have “dropped” there. Speaking at a press conference, Atishi cited central government data stating that farm fires in Punjab dropped from 71,300 in 2021 to 36,600 in 2023.
She highlighted Indian Agricultural Research Institute data showing a 27 per cent decline in stubble burning in Punjab from October 1 to 15, with incidents decreasing from 1,105 in 2022 to 811 this year.
In contrast, she alleged that, farm fires in Haryana “rose from 341 to 417”, while Uttar Pradesh saw an “increase from 244 to 417” over the same period. “This clearly shows the dirty politics of the BJP,” Atishi said. “If the Punjab government can reduce parali burning, why can’t the BJP governments in Haryana and UP do it?”
Atishi also announced that the Delhi government would begin using silicone-based defoamers to reduce the froth on the surface of the Yamuna starting Sunday night.
The Yamuna River had been enveloped in a thick layer of toxic foam for the past few days.According to Atishi, Haryana releases 165 million gallons per day (MGD) of industrial wastewater into the Yamuna through various drains, including those at Badshahpur and Mungeshpur, while UP contributes an additional 65 MGD of polluted water through other drains.