New Delhi (December 18 UNI): As Delhi’s air quality continues to remain severely polluted, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal criticised the response of both the Delhi and Central governments.
He described the national capital as a “gas chamber” while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Oman and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is in Germany.
While addressing a press conference, Kejriwal challenged the long-standing narrative attributing Delhi’s pollution to stubble burning in Punjab.
Citing data presented by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, he noted that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Punjab cities is currently between 70 and 100, indicating that the present pollution is primarily locally generated.
The former Delhi Chief Minister asserted that such severe pollution was not witnessed during his party’s decade-long administration, “when inspection teams and enforcement measures were actively deployed”. He alleged that current measures are ineffective, with construction activities continuing despite the enforcement of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV restrictions.
A key allegation raised by Kejriwal was the manipulation of pollution data. He claimed that water is sprayed near monitoring stations to artificially lower AQI readings, suggesting that the actual index could be between 700 and 800—far above the official figures, which often cross 400.
Kejriwal emphasized the need for coordinated action between the Delhi and Central governments, stating pollution cannot be reduced without the Centre”s active role. He expressed concern over the Prime Minister”s silence on the issue.
Drawing an international comparison, he noted that Beijing successfully improved its air quality through government intent and action—a commitment he finds lacking in current Delhi governance.
