Delhi CM Atishi blames BJP for toxic Yamuna froth
Oct 23, 2024
New Delhi [India], October 23 : Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday blamed the BJP for the growing air and water pollution in Delhi. She alleged that the polluted foam in the Yamuna River originates from untreated industrial wastewater released by the Haryana and UP governments.
"... The people of Delhi should know that whether it is air pollution or water pollution, it is because of the dirty politics of the BJP. Yamuna River is polluted because Haryana and UP are releasing their untreated industrial waste into it... Why is foam formed only during Diwali and Chhath? Because the dirty industrial waste is being sent to Delhi from Haryana and UP. The level of Ammonia has increased in the Wazirabad barrage... The same is with air pollution," she said.
Delhi Chief Minister further commended the Punjab government for reducing the stubble burning. She claimed that stubble burning was reduced by 25% in 2023.
"In Punjab, the stubble burning came down by 50% in 2021-2023. And further reduced by 25% in 2023. On the other hand, there are Haryana and UP, where the stubble-burning instances are increasing... It increased by 23% and 70% in Haryana and UP respectively. They are using the government of Haryana and UP as a weapon against Delhi," she said.
"I want to ask the BJP that you may hate the AAP but why are you hating the people of Delhi? Why are you giving toxic air and water to Delhi?... 'Maarne wale se bachane wala zyaada bada hota hai'... BJP is trying to kill the people of Delhi and we are trying to protect them... This is a conspiracy to harass the people of Delhi..." she added.
Meanwhile, on rising pollution levels and poor quality air index, Dr Dhiren Gupta, Co-director of, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital warned about the impact on children due to pollution.
"Probably due to the early onset of winter, there is a rise in air pollution. This is impacting many children. As compared to the last month, we are getting three times more patients this month. Maximum patients are infants with respiratory tract infections and also existing asthma patients. I expect the government to control preventable causes of pollution. At home, people should use exhaust fans while using the frying method of cooking, use of biomass should not be done and windows should be kept closed in the morning hours. People should also avoid outdoor exercises in the morning hours," he said.
