New Delhi, Dec 18 (NationPress) The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the remarks made by State Congress President Devender Yadav regarding air and water pollution, asserting that pollution levels in the city started escalating around 2009 when the Congress held power.

BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor indicated that the air pollution crisis intensified in 2009 when Sheila Dikshit served as the Chief Minister, noting that the Yamuna River had already transformed into a polluted drain prior to that time, largely due to the failure to establish adequate sewage treatment facilities.

The spokesperson accused the Congress of politicizing a crucial issue, highlighting that between 2007 and 2009, rampant construction was authorized in the city under the guise of preparations for the Commonwealth Games, resulting in persistently hazardous air quality levels that have yet to be addressed.

He emphasized that the lengthy, ineffective governance by both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party is to blame for the lack of sewage treatment plants and a comprehensive drainage plan in Delhi.

Devender Yadav earlier criticized Delhi's Public Works Minister Parvesh Verma, who stated that the pollution crisis in Delhi would not be resolved in a few months and would take years to improve.

“Did the BJP promise to tackle pollution over several years in their election manifesto?” he questioned.

Yadav asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party had devastated Delhi over the past 11 years, and the public is aware of this. He added that the BJP has failed to address numerous issues, including pollution, in the last 10 months.

Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta declared that the government aims to convert all Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses to electric by next year, striving for completely emission-free public transport.

She stated, “Our administration is consistently implementing sustainable and effective measures for pollution control in Delhi. Today, we have also integrated 100 new electric buses into the DTC fleet.”

“Our objective is to ensure all DTC buses transition to electric by next year, so that Delhi's public transport becomes entirely emission-free. We are progressing with this vision,” she conveyed via social media.

The Chief Minister also noted the initiation of an interstate electric bus service from Dhaula Kuan in Delhi to Dharuhera in Haryana.

“This interstate bus service, which had been dormant for years, has been reinstated by our government. These modern buses not only promise to reduce pollution but also aim to enhance the safety and comfort of daily commuters traveling to and from the Delhi-National Capital Region,” she remarked.

Chief Minister Gupta also pointed out the absence of any stubble burning incidents in the city during the winter season, marking a significant achievement of the government's pollution control policies.