Prakash Javadekar, the Environment Minister of India, on the 1st of November, criticised Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi.
Mr. Javadekar said, “The Delhi Chief Minister is politicising the issue of air pollution and is indulging in a blame game. I will not stoop to their level.”
Mr. Javadekar’s comments came during a launch event of e vehicles in Delhi. The e vehicles were launched in Delhi on the 1st of November to reduce pollution.
The e vehicles were launched the Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) declared a public health emergency, post recording a “severe plus” AQI in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR.)
Mr. Javadekar slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for not releasing funds for the construction of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway aimed at decongesting traffic in the national capital.
He said, “I will only say that Rs. 3,500 crore was to be released by the Delhi government for the Eastern Peripheral Expressway work but they acted only at the instruction of the court which directed them to immediately provide Rs. 1,000 crore.”
As of now, Delhi-NCR has a very poor AQI of 459.
AAP blamed the Haryana and Punjab Government for the worsening of the situation in Delhi. They said due to the burning of crops in Haryana and Punjab, the northwest winds entering Delhi and its region polluted the City.
The Delhi Government implemented the Odd-Even scheme, banned construction activities and polluting vehicles till the 15th of November.
Stay tuned for further updates.
