Fighting Our Killer Air - A Citizens' Charter
  • Home/
  • "National Shame": Lt Governor Slams Arvind Kejriwal After Delhi Gets "Most Polluted City" Tag

"National Shame": Lt Governor Slams Arvind Kejriwal After Delhi Gets "Most Polluted City" Tag

'National Shame': Lt Governor Slams Arvind Kejriwal After Delhi Gets 'Most Polluted City' Tag
LG VK Saxena said the very least which people expect from their elected government is breathable air.
New Delhi: 

 Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Wednesday wrote to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over Delhi getting the tag of the most polluted capital city in the world, calling it a matter of "national shame" and a health emergency like situation warranting serious pondering.

Mr Saxena also sought to corner the Kejriwal government on the issue of pollution, saying the World Air Quality Report 2023 paints a "grim" picture.

"This dubious distinction is a matter of national shame and collective concern. With Delhi being the second most polluted Capital in the world in 2022 and the most polluted Capital city in the world in 2021, I am sure that this report card of nine years of your government is not one which you would be proud of. The much talked about Delhi model is shrouded in a haze of smog," the LG wrote.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dubbed the language of LG's letter "rude, curt and bordering on abusive".

"We strongly condemn the use of such a despicable language by the LG," the AAP said in a statement.

Mr Saxena said that he has flagged the issue of air pollution in last two years by writing to the chief ministers, including him, but to no avail.

"I am underlining this to deter you from getting into a political blame game, as has been your wont, whenever faced with tough questions," he said in his letter.

The World Air Quality Report 2023 raises a red flag over the abnormally high PM 2.5 levels, two fifth of which is attributable to vehicular emissions. There are other factors like road dust, open burning etc. which also contribute to high particulate matter in the air, the LG said.

"There are regular reports of increased admissions in city hospitals with children and the elderly suffering the most from respiratory ailments. This state-of-affairs, year after year, is so alarming that it is nothing short of a public health emergency, apart from contravening the very basic natural and fundamental right to life, of the people of Delhi," he stated.

Pointing to hazardous air quality in the city during winters, Mr Saxena further said "any self-respecting leader" would have owned up the responsibility for the same and would have taken concrete steps to address this concern by taking definitive steps and bold measures.

"Sadly, you choose to do neither and make it an exercise of polemics, which ultimately turns into a political slugfest, with one authority blaming the other, even as citizens suffer silently," he charged.

Mr Saxena cited global examples of political leaders addressing the air pollution issues, including the great smog of London and grey skies of Beijing, through determined leadership.

He said no problem is insurmountable if efforts are made with sincerity, commitment and a lot of hard work.

The LG underlined that Delhi houses foreign missions and diplomats live in the city whom he expected to be highlighting the air pollution problem in their dispatches to home countries.

"The international community would be perplexed with the duality of India which is rising on the global stage, while its National Capital languishes with the worst air quality in the world," he said.

Mr Saxena said the very least which people expect from their elected government is breathable air and good quality potable water.

"I hope you will find some time in your busy schedule of electioneering to ponder over this grave issue with the seriousness that it deserves. This is a matter which cannot be allowed to pass with frivolity," he said to Mr Kejriwal.

The LG also pointed to Yamuna pollution, saying it was distressing to see that the gravity of the situation was "ignored" by the chief minister.

Mr Saxena said he found it "bewildering" that when he raised an issue of such nature, the minister in charge passed it on to the chief secretary directing him to fix the problems piled up over the years because of "inaction" of the Delhi government within a week.

Mr Saxena claimed that he was writing the letter as a "conscience keeper" and underscored that if the chief minister does not find any solutions, he will be "constitutionally obliged" to render his duties towards the people of Delhi and will not stand as a silent spectator.

The Delhi government systematically confronts the issue head-on, displaying the diligence of a responsible administration, said the ruling party in a statement.

"We have installed an AQI monitor every 40 kilometers, such a robust monitoring mechanism is nowhere else in the country. This comprehensive level of monitoring enables us to accurately gauge pollution levels, a capability lacking in other states," it said.

The ruling party said the gravity of issue of air pollution was "solemnly" acknowledged.

"Our unwavering commitment to its resolution is evident through our tireless efforts. With meticulous planning and execution, all 1,800 industries in Delhi have seamlessly transitioned to PNG fuels, marking a significant milestone in our journey towards environmental sustainability. Furthermore, our city boasts its highest green cover to date, standing at 23.6 percent," the AAP said.

The Delhi government has diligently undertaken over 10 significant Yamuna rejuvenation projects, expending a total of Rs 1,080 crores, the party said.

"The LG in his letter says that he will take over the functioning of elected govt rather than remaining a mute spectator. Such a statement shows that LG does not have the correct knowledge of our Constitution," the AAP said.

There is clear division of powers and responsibilities. Howsoever anguished anyone might feel about the functioning of another organ, he does not have the right to encroach upon its domain, the party added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Share this story on

Latest Stories

................................ Advertisement ................................

Latest Videos

Opinion

  • Opinion | Why Indians Have Just Given Up On Air Pollution Crisis

    Opinion | Why Indians Have Just Given Up On Air Pollution CrisisTanushree Ganguly

    Friday December 20, 2024

    While some may argue that people in Delhi are now more aware of air pollution than they were a decade back, my rebuttal would be that awareness does not mean that people are concerned.

  • Opinion | You Must Outrage Over Filthy Air More Than Once A Year

    Opinion | You Must Outrage Over Filthy Air More Than Once A YearJyoti Pande Lavakare

    Tuesday December 10, 2024

    Delhi welcomed us with monsoon rains and mangos. We were home. Fast forward a couple of years, in the winter of 2012, I found myself in denial about something other parents, mostly expats, were calling toxic air.

  • Opinion | Delhi's Air Pollution Situation Is Like A Bad Marriage

    Opinion | Delhi's Air Pollution Situation Is Like A Bad MarriageNishtha Gautam

    Friday November 22, 2024

    On a good day, such as today, the AQI reading in Delhi is 407. We are jubilant at the sickly sunshine trickling through the slightly dissipated smog. At least its not 1600.

  • दिवाली... पराली... सियासी जुगाली!

    दिवाली... पराली... सियासी जुगाली!Ashwini kumar

    Monday November 18, 2024

    दिल्ली-एनसीआर में प्रदूषण का समाधान तो आज तक मिला नहीं. हर साल चिंतित होकर हम-आप सांसों की तकलीफ के साथ-साथ दिल और ब्लड प्रेशर के मरीज भी क्यों बनें?

  • घर में कैद बुजुर्ग और हांफते लोग, दिल्ली की सांसों में घुला ये कैसा रोग?

    घर में कैद बुजुर्ग और हांफते लोग, दिल्ली की सांसों में घुला ये कैसा रोग?Nidhi Kulpati

    Friday November 08, 2024

    हमारी हवा जहरीली हो रही है. गुरुवार की शाम को जब मैं इस मुद्दे पर लिखने बैठी तो AQI लगातार 400 पार  जाकर दम घोंट रहा था. बहुत लोगों को यह मामला बोरिंग लगे, लेकिन जब आप अपने साथ काम करने वालों को खांसते-हांफते देखते-सुनते हैं, तो चिंता होने लगती है. सुबह उठते ही दरवाजे खिड़कियां खोलने के लिए डॉक्टर मना कर रहे हैं. बड़े बुजुर्गों के लिए तो मॉर्निंग वॉक बाहर की दुनिया से सीधे संपर्क का ज़रिया है, लेकिन डॉक्टर इसकी भी मनाही कर रहे हैं.