New Delhi: Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Environment Minister of Delhi, on Tuesday “apologised” to residents as hazardous air continued to hang over the capital. The apology, however, came with a caveat. According to Sirsa, “pollution crisis cannot be undone within nine or ten months by any elected government” — squarely resting the blame on the preceding AAP government in the national capital.
‘Inherited crisis’
Air quality slipped into the ‘severe plus’ category, with thick smog settling across large parts of the city. Authorities responded by activating Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the toughest set of emergency curbs, forcing schools to switch to online classes from Monday.
Laying the blame squarely on the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for what Sirsa described as “years of inaction”, he added that the present BJP government had inherited a damaged system and limited room to manoeuvre.
“It is not possible for any government to bring down the AQI in nine to ten months. I apologise to the people of Delhi for the pollution. We are doing better work than the earlier government, and there has been a reduction each day. This problem has been passed on to us, and we are trying to correct it,” he said.
No fuel without a valid PUC from Thursday
With pollution levels remaining critical, the Delhi government announced stricter enforcement measures. From Thursday, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will not be allowed to refuel at petrol pumps across the capital.
“Vehicles without a valid PUC certificate will not be given fuel,” Sirsa said, adding that the rule would be implemented strictly.
Under GRAP IV restrictions, BS-III petrol vehicles and BS-IV diesel vehicles are already barred from operating in Delhi-NCR. The entry of BS-IV diesel trucks into the city has also been stopped. Only BS-VI diesel, CNG, LNG and electric trucks are currently permitted.
Air improves slightly; smog still hangs heavy
Delhi recorded a marginal improvement in air quality on Tuesday morning, with the AQI at 377, compared to 498 a day earlier. The relief, however, remained limited.
Smog continued to blanket the city, reducing visibility and leaving residents to wake up to biting cold conditions. The minimum temperature dropped to 8.3 degrees Celsius, adding to the discomfort as Delhi struggled through another hazardous winter morning.