Desk |
Updated: Oct 28, 2024 23:17 IST
New Delhi [India], October 28 (Desk): AAP MLA Vinay Mishra officially took charge as the Vice Chairman of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), on Monday. Upon assuming the role, he expressed gratitude to Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Atishi for their trust in his leadership.
He also said that he is committed to working relentlessly to address the water and sewer issues faced by Delhi residents, in line with Arvind Kejriwal’s vision for the city.
He further highlighted that BJP-led interference had disrupted DJB’s work in Arvind Kejriwal’s absence but assured Delhiites that, with his return, the focus would now be on getting the city’s infrastructure back on track.
Speaking to the media, Vinay Mishra said that Delhi has been facing obstacles because, for the past year, the Bharatiya Janata Party has left no stone unturned to halt Delhi’s development work.
“First, they arrested our Deputy CM, then our leader and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, was arrested so that Delhi’s work could be stopped. They interfered in every department, affecting pensions, doctors’ salaries, Mohalla Clinic tests, medicines, data entry operators in hospitals, and bus marshal appointments, dismissing everyone they could to stop the work. They even paralyzed the DJB, restricting both water supply and sewer cleaning. But now that Arvind Kejriwal is back, we are addressing issues at a rapid pace — repairing roads and bringing the DJB back on track. We will soon resolve all water and sewer issues,” he assured.
Vinay Mishra further stated that pollution in Delhi is increasing due to stubble burning in Haryana.
“BJP’s disdain for Arvind Kejriwal has extended to the people of Delhi. Besides smoke from stubble burning, industrial waste from Haryana has increased ammonia levels in the Yamuna. Each year, from October 12 to 31, the Ganga Canal is closed for maintenance, forcing us to rely on Yamuna water for our treatment plants. However, high ammonia levels have affected our plants’ operations. After inspecting the Sonia Vihar WTP, I found ammonia levels at 0.9 ppm, which is dangerous. I have appealed to CM Atishi to request the Haryana government to immediately stop dumping industrial waste into the Yamuna to provide clean water to Delhi residents,” he said.
He noted that the frothy images of the Yamuna originated on Haryana’s side. “When the BJP’s leaders took a dip in the Yamuna, there was no froth visible. This is mere propaganda. The Delhi government is fully committed to addressing these issues. Chhath Puja is a major festival, and the government arranges tents, sound systems, and all necessary facilities at all ghats. This year too, we will ensure proper arrangements on the Yamuna,” he added.
Vinay Mishra also remarked that pollution in Delhi is further aggravated by diesel buses arriving in Anand Vihar.
“If neighbouring states like Haryana reduced stubble burning, Delhi’s air quality could improve significantly. Since the BJP came to power at the Center, it has only stalled work. To assess the real-time pollution sources, we hired IT experts, but the central government even blocked their payments. The central government isn’t serious about pollution issues.”
He said that while a high-level meeting on pollution took place last August, enabling swift actions, this year’s meeting was only held recently.
“Their aim is not to work but to stop work. People can see that the BJP governs in 22 states but isn’t performing anywhere, only blaming the Delhi government. The air quality index is also high in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Electricity costs are high, and water issues persist across these states,” he added. (Desk)
