Reviving Delhi: Clean Air is a Fundamental Right, Says Minister Sirsa
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Synopsis
On April 6, Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa outlined the BJP government's ongoing efforts to tackle air pollution in Delhi, asserting that clean air is a fundamental right. He emphasized the need for increased public transport and better enforcement against polluting vehicles.
Key Takeaways
- BJP's initiatives focus on reducing air pollution in Delhi.
- A recent CAG report highlights the need for more buses and improved connectivity.
- Pollution checks are insufficient with only 7 entry points being monitored.
- Sirsa accuses AAP of worsening pollution for political gain.
- Progress in air quality has been noted since the BJP's governance.
New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the Minister for Environment, Forest and Wildlife in Delhi, emphasized the initiatives being undertaken by the BJP administration to combat air pollution in the capital.
In a statement on the social media platform X, Sirsa stated, “In line with the Viksit Delhi Sankalp of PM Narendra Modi Ji… we are striving to restore life in Delhi. Observe our on-ground efforts to mitigate dust… as clean air is not a luxury, but a right.”
A recent CAG report urged the Delhi Government to promptly address the deficit of 2,250 public transport buses and enhance last-mile connectivity to improve the deteriorating air quality attributed to vehicular emissions.
The report from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, presented by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in the Assembly, recommended that the Government prioritize route rationalization to optimize the use of the current bus fleet.
The CAG report suggested that the existing maintenance personnel's skills should be aligned with operational buses through training, ensuring proper upkeep and vehicle maintenance.
Due to a lack of public transport buses, 238 out of 657 designated bus routes were entirely unserved, according to the report.
The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) had ceased to provide connectivity to the NCR. Additionally, the number of Gramin-Sewa vehicles for last-mile connectivity has remained unchanged since May 2011, the central government's auditor report stated.
Expressing concern over the insufficient checks on polluting vehicles entering Delhi, the CAG noted there are 128 entry points for vehicles into the UT.
“From these, 80 percent of commercial vehicles enter Delhi through 13 entry points,” it added.
However, the audit found that enforcement teams were stationed at only seven entry points in the capital. “In addition to staff shortages, the enforcement teams lacked vehicle-mounted PUC equipment necessary for checking visibly polluting vehicles,” the report indicated.
Previously, Sirsa accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of deliberately exacerbating Delhi's air pollution to tarnish the reputation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He asserted that since the BJP took over in Delhi, notable strides have been made in lowering pollution levels.
In a video message on X, Sirsa stated, “Since the BJP assumed control in Delhi, we have continuously worked to reduce pollution, achieving success. Air quality improves year after year, with many days showing cleaner metrics. We have set records over the last three years, which does not sit well with the AAP.”
He further accused the AAP of resorting to extreme measures to degrade the city's air quality.
“It’s disheartening to report that the AAP has lowered itself to gathering trash in parks and igniting it. I have shared a video documenting this incident. This is done solely to pollute the air and undermine the BJP,” Sirsa concluded.
