"Not deterring from politics": Delhi LOP Vijender Gupta slams AAP over rising air pollution

New Delhi [India], October 23 (ANI): Leader of opposition in Delhi assembly Vijender Gupta slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national capital over the rising air pollution and said that they are not deterring from politics even when AQI is crossing 350.
"They (Delhi government) are not deterring from politics even when AQI is crossing 350 in Delhi. What steps did they take? They even off-roaded electric buses... If there are 800 electric buses in the fleet, pollution can be brought down to a great extent if they are operational...Does Delhi government even want to take an effective step to combat pollution," Delhi LoP Vijender Gupta told ANI.
A thick smog engulfed Delhi on Wednesday morning as the AQI registered at 354. The doctors have said that rising air pollution is also causing an increase in the number of patients with respiratory issues by 15 percent.
The CAQM had ordered the implementation of GRAP-II in the national capital region after the air quality was measured under the "Very Poor" category. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data confirms the same.
Meanwhile, Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday expressed concerns over the rising pollution in the national capital. He said that the winds are moving in the northwest direction, which could increase the pollution levels in the national capital territory (NCT) due to stubble burning in neighbouring states.
"As per the information given by the meteorological department, the winds are now moving in the northwest direction. The effect of stubble burning from Haryana and Punjab will be more visible in Delhi. We have put all our departments on alert mode given the increase in pollution levels. I am going to write a letter to the Union Environment Minister for the third time, urging him to call a meeting. The research conducted by IIT Kanpur regarding artificial rain should be taken forward to resolve the pollution crisis. All the formalities should be fulfilled. Yesterday, I had also written to transport ministers of neighbouring states to not send diesel vehicles in Delhi till the weather is unfavourable," Gopal Rai said.
Earlier in the day, Public Works Department (PWD) vehicles sprinkled water to limit the effects of pollution. (ANI)