Delhi Pollution: Ahead of Winter, AAP Govt Battles It Out With L-G Over Pollution

Ahead of the winter the Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor are engaged in a battle over the 'Dust-Free Delhi' campaign to combat air pollution.

Delhi Air Pollution: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has instructed the national capital's officials to launch a week-long 'Dust-Free Delhi' campaign. He has asked all government agencies concerned, including MCD, PWD, NDMC, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, and the Delhi Jal Board, to participate in the campaign before winter sets in. The AAP has called the LG's order a "strategy to claim credit". 

Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that an inter-department meeting on tackling pollution was scheduled, but could not be held due to the unavailability of the Chief Secretary.

According to a report in the Indian Express, the LG said that launching a campaign against air pollution before the onset of winter will provide relief to the people of Delhi. Over the past few years, New Delhi has gained notoriety for ranking among the most polluted cities in India. The air pollution also results in a host of respiratory ailments, especially among the elderly and children, in Delhi.

In a statement, Delhi L-G Vinai Saxena said road dust is the biggest contributor to air pollution. Dry soil or silt on roads is causing air pollution as the daily rain has stopped.

The L-G advised the road-owning agencies, mainly MCD and PWD, to clear the dust from the streets and prevent further accumulation. He said the dust and silt must be dumped at designated sites. L-G Saxena said that this will also help prevent waterlogging.

AAP Slams DDA, L-G For Felling 1,100 Trees

The 'pollution war' gained ground as the AAP targeted L-G Saxena and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which functions under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs over the large-scale felling of trees in Delhi's Ridge Forest area. The Supreme Court in June pulled up the DDA for failing to clear the confusion over whether the L-G ordered the DDA to cut over 750 trees.

The DDA is accused of carrying out deforestation in Delhi's Ridge Forest without court permission. The SC also questioned the L-G's role in the deforestation. The case is likely to be heard on Tuesday.

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said: "Hon’ble SC, All officers had knowledge that they don’t have permissions to cut trees. Still trees were cut. So there can be only 2 possibilities 1. If they didn’t disclose it to LG ,then Officers should be prosecuted 2. If they did disclose it to LG, then LG should be prosecuted [sic]."