'Delhi Model - Shrouded In Haze Of Smog': LG Saxena Writes To Kejriwal Govt Over Pollution Levels

The AAP responded by saying it "condemned" the language used by the LG in the letter, adding that it has undertaken numerous initiatives in the last few years to tackle air pollution.

A day after Swiss firm IQAir revealed that Delhi would be the world's most polluted capital city in 2023, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena wrote to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday, urging him to take concrete steps on this front and accusing the state government of a "lackadaisical approach" to improving the city's air quality.

In his letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi LG VK Saxena wrote: "I am writing to draw your attention to the disturbing national headlines today - "Delhi-The World's Most Polluted - Foulest Capital Again. This dubious distinction is a source of national shame and concern. With Delhi becoming the second most polluted capital city in the world in 2022 and the most polluted capital city in the world in 2021, I am sure you would be disappointed with your government's performance over the last nine years. The much-discussed "Delhi model" is shrouded in smog."

AAP Hits Back: 

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) responded by saying it "condemned" the LG's language in the letter, noting that it has undertaken numerous initiatives in recent years to combat air pollution.

"It is imperative to highlight that, according to the Economic Survey, pollution levels in Delhi have witnessed a notable decrease of 30-35% compared to levels recorded in 2016," AAP said in a statement, adding that the government was committed to improving its citizens' quality of life.

Reacting to the development, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai told ANI, "All the 7 MPs (of Delhi) couldn't do anything for 10 years. He (LG) has been given this new work to hide their actions. That is a political matter". 

"As far as pollution in Delhi is concerned, the maximum number of works against pollution is being done in Delhi. The maximum number of electric buses and electric private vehicles are plying in Delhi. I think everyone needs to work together so that the air in Delhi can be further improved," he added further. 

Lackadaisical Approach Of Delhi Govt: Saxena 

Pointing to pollution in the Yamuna, Saxena wrote: "...this highlights the city government's lax approach to air quality. Any self-respecting leader would have accepted responsibility for the situation and taken concrete steps to address it, including decisive and bold measures. Unfortunately, you choose to do neither and instead engage in polemics, which eventually devolve into a political slugfest."

The government claimed to have undertaken 10 major rejuvenation projects worth Rs 1,080 crore, but finance secretaries frequently obstructed their release.

Delhi, with an annual population-weighted PM2.5 of 92.7µg/m3, surpassed Dhaka (80.2 µg/m3) to become the world's most polluted national capital, breathing air that is nearly 20 times the international safe standard.

'Delhi Model' - 'Shrouded In A Haze Of Smog': LG  

In his letter to Kejriwal, Saxena said that the government's "Delhi model" is currently "shrouded in a haze of smog".

"At the end, I would like to underscore if you are unable to find any solutions, I will be constitutionally obliged to render my duties towards the people of Delhi and will not stand as a spectator to the miseries of the poorest of poor," he wrote in the letter.

To be sure, in 2021, the Centre established the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) as a watchdog to enforce air pollution control measures in the NCR, including the emergency-level graded response action plan (Grap). However, Grap and other measures will be implemented on the ground by state government agencies.