Delhi minister apologises to NCR residents over vehicle restrictions
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa blamed the Punjab government and Arvind Kejriwal for the worsening air pollution in the national capital.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologised to residents of the Delhi-NCR on Thursday for imposing vehicle restrictions. According to The Indian Express, Sirsa stated that vehicles below the BS-VI standard have been banned to protect the health of children.
The minister blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab government and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal for the pollution crisis. Sirsa alleged that Kejriwal's policies and the Punjab government's handling of stubble burning contributed to the situation.
Sirsa claimed the Punjab government was failing to control farm fires, noting that the state recorded 584 stubble-burning incidents on November 3 alone. He said the number of incidents had been lower until November 2 but increased sharply after that date.
Citing Punjab Pollution Control Board figures, the minister said Barnala recorded an AQI of 1,200, Bathinda 1,100, and Sangrur 1,007. He alleged that 494 FIRs have been registered and that the state was taking action against farmers instead of addressing the reasons for the rise in fires.
Sirsa questioned how Delhi's AQI rose to around 350 within four days and was approaching the 400 mark. He also noted that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued notices to Punjab government officials on November 4 seeking an explanation regarding the failure to prevent stubble burning.