Delhi’s Air Quality Crisis: AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj Critiques Chief Minister Rekha Gupta

AAP President’s Strong Remarks on Pollution

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi unit President Saurabh Bharadwaj strongly criticized Chief Minister Rekha Gupta over the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. He stated that Gupta appears ignorant of the Air Quality Index (AQI) and its critical parameters, suggesting that she should leave the pollution problem to the experts.

According to Bharadwaj, "This government has been in power for almost a year. Nowhere in this country are there incidents of stubble burning. The condition of pollution is so severe that even inside a closed room, we can see smog. The CM of Delhi doesn’t know what AQI is? She thinks any instrument can measure AQI. She can’t even properly pronounce AQI. What can residents expect from the Chief Minister in the next 4 years?"

Residents’ Concerns About Air Quality

Residents in Delhi voiced urgent concerns over the worsening air quality, with the AQI soaring to 497, categorizing it as ‘severe’ according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Many locals are reporting health issues such as breathing difficulties and eye irritation, especially among vulnerable groups, including the elderly and children.

Suresh, a resident of Jalgaon, emphasized the importance of clean air for health and well-being. He stated, "Clean air is essential for everyone’s health, and we should not take it lightly."

Understanding the Air Quality Index (AQI)

The AQI ranges from 0 to 500 and is segmented into six categories, each indicating various levels of pollution and their associated health risks. The breakdown is as follows:

• 0-50: Good
• 51-100: Satisfactory
• 101-200: Moderate
• 201-300: Poor
• 301-400: Very Poor
• 401-500: Severe

Government Response to the Crisis

In light of the severe pollution levels, the Delhi Government’s Directorate of Education mandated that schools conduct classes for grades IX and XI in hybrid mode. This decision was prompted by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), as AQI levels approached severe thresholds.

With air quality declining, it is crucial for the Delhi government to prioritize public health and seek expert intervention to address this pressing issue.