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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has pointed fingers at Haryana for the pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR, emphasizing the state’s proximity to the national capital. AAP’s national spokesperson, Priyanka Kakkar, called for a thorough analysis of the anti-pollution measures implemented by the Manohar Lal Khattar-led government in Haryana since 2014.
Kakkar highlighted that Punjab’s stubble burning is approximately 500 km away from Delhi, whereas Haryana’s stubble burning occurs just 100 km away. She stressed the need to assess the effectiveness of anti-pollution initiatives undertaken by the Khattar government over the past years.
During a press conference, Kakkar also noted a 31% decline in air pollution levels in Delhi. She referenced the Economic Survey 2022-23, where the central government acknowledged the improved air quality in Delhi, calling it the best in the last eight years. Additionally, data from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) indicated a significant reduction of 50-67% in stubble burning in Punjab.
Despite these improvements, Delhi’s overall air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category, leading Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to convene a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat. The Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi predicted that the Air Quality Index (AQI) would continue to be ‘severe’ for the next few days.
To address the worsening situation, the Commission for Air Quality Management invoked stage IV of the graded action response plan (GRAP), triggering additional anti-pollution measures. These measures include a ban on the entry of truck traffic into Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services. Furthermore, Delhi-registered diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) will be prohibited, with exceptions made for those transporting essential goods or offering essential services.
