Delhi pollution reaches 'Severe' levels, AAP Govt points to UP buses as cause

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has blamed buses coming from Uttar Pradesh for the worsening air quality in Anand Vihar. She also pointed to the pollution in the Yamuna River, claiming it is due to untreated waste released from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Atishi promised to discuss these issues with the UP government. Air quality in the Delhi area has been declining over the past week, with thick smog covering the city. On Sunday morning, PM 2.5 levels in Anand Vihar reached a severe level of 454.

Measures to combat pollution

Atishi and Environment Minister Gopal Rai inspected the Anand Vihar area and discussed the Delhi government's anti-pollution efforts. She mentioned that the government has created 99 teams focused on controlling dust across the city. They are also deploying over 325 smog guns to help manage pollution. Anand Vihar, located on the border with UP, is one of the areas most affected by poor air quality.

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Rai echoed Atishi’s concerns, stating that the diesel buses from UP are significantly increasing pollution levels in Delhi. He called on the UP government to help by sprinkling water in the Kaushambi bus depot to reduce dust. 

While the overall pollution level in Delhi is categorized as 'poor,' areas like Anand Vihar have seen much higher pollution levels for several days. Rai criticized the BJP, saying they sensationalize pollution issues while the AAP is focused on cleaning up the city. He assured that efforts are underway to clean the city, especially in preparation for the Chhath Puja celebration. The Air Quality Index (AQI) readings showed levels of 232 at ITO, classified as 'poor,' and 350 in Jahangirpuri, marked as 'very poor.'