Smog tower in Connaught Place 'non-operational,' BJP targets Delhi government
What's the story
As the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) continues to battle "severe" air pollution, a video showing a locked smog tower in Connaught Place is going viral on social media.
Smog towers are structures that act as large-scale air purifiers and reduce air pollution particles. They also monitor air quality.
The closed smog tower has sparked a blame game between the Centre and the Delhi government.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Delhi-NCR has been reeling under "severe" air pollution, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 700 in several areas.
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 453 at 4:00pm on Friday.
On Thursday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) banned non-essential construction activities in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The ban also applies to diesel-powered trucks entering the nation's capital.
BJP
BJP attacks Arvind Kejriwal over non-functional smog tower
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attacked the Aam Aadmi Party-led government over the disfunctional tower.
BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Today Delhi has become a gas chamber."
Noting that the tower cost Rs. 23 crore, he said that none of the anti-pollution measures are functional.
He also questioned the AAP over increased cases of stubble burning and missing bio decomposers in Punjab.
Twitter Post
Watch: Delhi's non-functional smog tower
#WATCH | Delhi's "Smog Tower" at Connaught Place is locked up and not operational. It was inaugurated in 2021 at a cost of around Rs 20 Crores.
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2023
The air quality in Delhi is in 'Severe' category today as per CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). pic.twitter.com/2FZlp9jZ88
Gopal Rai
Delhi Environment Gopal Rai blames DPCC chairman
Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai blamed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for the non-functioning smog tower.
Rai said, "Tower at CP had been operational since 2021 and final report of the data collected was to come out after two years."
However, DPCC chairman Ashwini Kumar shut down payments to IIT-Bombay and other agencies working on the tower, forcing it to stop.
Grap
GRAP Stage III imposed in Delhi
Before the CAQM imposed Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the Delhi government launched the Winter Action Plan in September to tackle pollution caused by vehicles, biomass burning, and other activities.
It also launched the "Red Light On, Gaadi Off" campaign, which encourages commuters to turn off their engines at traffic signals.
October
October most polluted month in Delhi since 2019
On Friday, the air quality in Delhi was qualified as "hazardous," after being in the "very poor" category for the past week.
To make matters worse, scientists have predicted an increase in pollution levels in Delhi-NCR over the next two weeks, particularly as stubble burning in North India increases.
Notably, October was also the most polluted month in Delhi since 2019.