New Delhi: Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday said the capital’s air pollution crisis could not be reversed within eight to nine months, asserting that no elected government could deliver drastic improvements in such a short span.
Addressing a press briefing, Sirsa acknowledged public anger over the city’s deteriorating air quality and offered an apology to residents. However, he largely attributed the situation to the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, describing the pollution problem as an inherited legacy rather than a failure of the current administration.
'Can't Bring Down AQI Within 8-9 Months': Delhi Environment Minister pic.twitter.com/PploTVlglc
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“We are doing better work than the dishonest AAP government, and we have reduced AQI each day,” Sirsa said, claiming his government was addressing what he called a “disease of pollution” passed on by the former regime.
The minister’s remarks followed a public backlash over hazardous air conditions that spilled into a high-profile event in the city. On Monday, sections of the crowd at Arun Jaitley Stadium booed and chanted “AQI, AQI” as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed Argentine football star Lionel Messi, with the pollution issue overshadowing the celebratory occasion.
The chants continued throughout the chief minister’s appearance and resumed as she exited the stadium. Smoggy conditions also disrupted travel plans, delaying Messi’s chartered flight. Originally scheduled to arrive in Delhi at 10.45 a.m., the flight landed at 2.30 p.m., with Messi reaching the stadium only by 4.30 p.m.
Detailing enforcement measures, Sirsa said vehicles without valid or updated pollution under control (PUC) certificates would not be given fuel, and fuel stations would be monitored through cameras. He said fines amounting to Rs 9 crore had been imposed on industries found violating pollution norms.
The minister said the government had distributed 10,000 heaters to curb emissions from wood burning and directed banquet halls to regulate the use of DJs. He added that movement of construction material within Delhi had been banned and strict action would be taken against violations.
Delhi’s air quality remained in the severe category for three consecutive days before showing marginal improvement on Tuesday. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s AQI stood at 378 at 9 a.m., improving slightly from 427 recorded on Monday evening, which fell in the severe range.
Sirsa said pollution levels had improved on a month-on-month basis but reiterated that significant reductions were not possible within eight to nine months. He said the government was taking daily steps to address the crisis, including reducing the height of landfill sites by 15 meters and cleaning and reclaiming 45 acres of land.
He said 62 pollution hotspots had been identified across the capital, with 13 reporting lower pollution levels compared to last year. Sirsa added that 3,427 electric buses had been deployed to help cut vehicular emissions and reiterated that the entry of non-Delhi private vehicles below BS-VI standards had been banned.
