BJP Leaders Encouraged People To Burst Crackers, Alleges Delhi Minister
NDTV
Asked if there is an update on whether the odd-even scheme for vehicles will come into force, Gopal Rai a decision will taken in a meeting today
As Delhi woke up to poor air quality the morning after Diwali, Environment Minister Gopal Rai accused BJP leaders of pushing people to burst firecrackers despite the air emergency in the capital. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi had been hovering around the 215 mark over the past three days, but saw a sharp rise this morning due to the bursting of crackers, the minister said.
"While many people did not burst crackers, some places saw targeted bursting of crackers. People of Delhi had in mind that the air quality should not deteoriorate. But the BJP encouraged people to burst crackers, Delhi is paying the price. If crackers were not burst, Delhi's air would be clean now," he said.
Real-time trends on air quality monitors clocked huge jumps in Delhi's air pollution levels as the sound of crackers rang through the National Capital Region last evening. According to data recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board, levels of pollutants PM2.5 and PM10 saw a big jump this morning. The AQI this morning was around the 300 mark, representing 'very poor' air quality.
