Delhi's air quality worsening because of UP buses, says AAP
What's the story
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government has claimed that buses coming from Uttar Pradesh are a major contributor to Delhi's deteriorating air quality.
The problem is particularly acute in the Anand Vihar area.
On Sunday, Chief Minister Atishi and Environment Minister Gopal Rai inspected Anand Vihar, where they found that the Air Quality Index (AQI) had dropped to 454 by 8:30am—"severe" category.
Pollution control
Delhi government implements measures to combat pollution
During their visit, the ministers stressed that anti-pollution measures are being strictly enforced to tackle this issue.
"Teams have been formed for dust control measures," they added.
"We have formed 99 teams who are carrying out dust control measures across Delhi. We have started the process of deploying more than 325 smog guns. PWD and MCD have deployed all their resources to combat pollution in Delhi," Atishi said.
Pollution level
Pollution level in Delhi is in the 'poor' category
The pollution level in Delhi is in the "poor" category, but the pollution level in Anand Vihar has been at a very high level for the last 4-5 days, Rai said.
He stated that diesel buses arrive in Delhi in large numbers from Uttar Pradesh, and the smoke from those buses exacerbates pollution in Delhi, particularly at Anand Vihar, Delhi's bus terminal, and the Kaushambi bus terminal, which lies directly opposite it.
Yamuna
We are cleaning pollution in the Yamuna River: Rai
Regarding the pollution in the Yamuna River, he said, "The BJP creates a problem and then makes a video. Our job is to clean it. The cleaning is underway, and we are preparing for the Chhath pooja... In Kalindi Kunj also, we will clean all the dirt coming from UP."
Atishi also said that they will talk to the UP government as well since the state, along with Haryana, releases their untreated effluents into the Yamuna.