New Delhi, 19 October (H.S.): Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa inspected several locations in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area on Monday to review measures being implemented to control pollution.

Under the prescribed regulations, construction sites covering more than 3,000 square metres, as well as high-rise projects, are required to install anti-smog guns or water mist systems to control dust at the source.

In a post on social media platform X, Sirsa blamed the pollution crisis in Delhi on the failures of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. He alleged that the administration had spent 11 years engaging in publicity-driven politics and shifting blame onto others, leaving residents struggling to breathe toxic air.

Sirsa said that, under the strong and forward-looking leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the era of excuses had ended and the government was now taking concrete action. He added that the administration was making every possible effort to improve Delhi’s air quality through regular inspections, strict enforcement of regulations and action against violators.

The minister asserted that these efforts would continue until Delhi was able to breathe clean air.

According to the report, Delhi had recorded 211 days of good, satisfactory or moderate air quality as of October 17. Excluding 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected normal activities, this represents the city’s best performance since 2016.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar