Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai slams BJP, Cong; says not opposition but cooperation needed to rein in pollution

“Under the Kejriwal government, we have put a lot of efforts to reduce air pollution, and year-wise figures back this claim,” Rai said.

He said scientists from IIT Kanpur suggested artificial rain can reduce pollution levels that worsen from November. Rai argued that many places across the world have experimented with artificial rain and cited the examples of China, Malaysia, and Lahore.

“For five years, I have been requesting the environment minister of the BJP-led Central Government to solve the air pollution crisis in Delhi. Not only has he not had any time to meet in these five years, but he has not found any time to respond to the requests either,” said Rai.

A day before, Sachdeva blamed the AAP-led Delhi Government for “wasting crores of taxpayers’ money” on a smog tower. On Sunday, Rai hit back, “We followed the Supreme Court’s directions and it was a pilot project in which the Central Government set up a smog tower in Anand Vihar and the Delhi Government built one in Connaught Place. Are you not (BJP) also accountable? Why are you hiding the smog tower in Anand Vihar?”

Citing data from the Central Pollution Control Board and the Centre of Science and Environment, the minister claimed that air pollution levels have decreased in the national capital owing to the AAP government’s efforts.

Rai said, “I want to reiterate… that we need cooperation and not opposition to reduce pollution. It is a collective responsibility… The Central Government cannot run away.”

The minister also dismissed accusations of inaction on the stubble burning issue and claimed that a meeting was held earlier with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on the issue.