"Delhi has become gas chamber": BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla on rising pollution
Oct 22, 2024
New Delhi [India], October 22 : As Delhi grapples with rising air pollution and toxic foam has been visible on the Yamuna River, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that the national capital has become a gas chamber.
While speaking to ANI, Poonawalla held former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal responsible for the rise in air pollution in Delhi and said, "Today, once again, the AQI is crossing very hazardous levels in Delhi. It's 400 plus in some areas. Delhi has become a gas chamber and for this Arvind Kejriwal is responsible. Because for ten years no action was taken on the internal causes of pollution in Delhi. They did not do anything about vehicular pollution, road dust, construction dust or biomass burning."
Poonawalla further said that the air and water in Delhi have become 'poisonous'.
"They blame Hindu festivals like Diwali. They banned (Delhi government) Diwali fireworks and lighting... Delhi has become a gas chamber, and air to water everything is poisonous, thanks to the poisonous politics of Arvind Kejriwal," he added.
The remarks come amid the rising pollution in Delhi. The national capital is currently facing high levels of air pollution and visible toxic foam in Yamuna river.
Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality dropped to the 'very poor' category on Tuesday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 385 recorded around 8:00 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
A thick layer of fog was seen in areas like Anand Vihar, Kalkaji, Nehru Place, and Akshardham Temple, as the city's air quality continued to deteriorate.
Meanwhile, Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai launched the "Red Light On-Gaadi Off" campaign on Monday to mitigate pollution in the national capital.
Kicking off the campaign at the ITO intersection, the Delhi Environment Minister appealed to drivers to help reduce pollution by turning off their vehicle engines at red lights.
