With Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) resting in the category of ‘very poor’, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that its 15-point Winter Action Plan (WAP) prevented AQI from reaching the severe category.
AAP also released a video from its official Twitter handle that featured megastar Amitabh Bachchan. In the video, the veteran actor, who also hosts Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), asks contestants regarding WAP in his popular show.
Later in the video, the latest media reports, which say Delhi is not on the list of 10 most polluted cities in Asia, were also highlighted. The video also spoke about the Delhi government’s latest anti-smog guns which are used to fight smog.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, “Delhi’s fight against pollution bears success. Data shows the lowest pollution levels after Diwali in the past five years.”
“We have deployed 150 mobile anti-smog guns to sprinkle water on roads across Delhi. There will be 2 anti-smog guns in each of the 70 Assembly constituencies of Delhi to sprinkle water. These are measures from the 15-point winter action plan,” Rai added.
This year, Delhi saw the cleanest Diwali as far as pollution levels are concerned, and the air quality index is the lowest in the last seven years.
Data from pre-Diwali, Diwali and post-Diwali shows that Delhi’s AQI level managed to revolve around within the ambit of the “very poor” category, with the AQI level standing at 259 on pre-Diwali, 312 on Diwali and 303 on post-Diwali.
In 2016, the AQI level reached a peak of severity of 431 and 445 on the day of Diwali and post Diwali, respectively. In 2021, the day just after Diwali, the AQI level reached 462.
However, the experts this time attributed the comparative cleaner atmosphere of Delhi to factors such as wind, and stubble burning, which are yet to reach their peak, among others.
The numbers, however, could not hide the fact that rules were flouted with impunity during Diwali night. Delhi celebrated the festival of light-bursting crackers, till late at night, despite being banned by the Supreme Court.
Diwali night saw a blanket of smoke created due to the burning of crackers throughout the night. The smell of burnt crackers in the air could also be felt.
According to health experts, unbreathable air poses a serious threat to the lungs and especially the eyes.