Strong winds from stubble-burning areas deteriorate Delhi’s AQI; AAP govt reacts

As air quality in North India continues to worsen, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal held a joint press conference with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Friday, November 4, 2022. (Photo: Twitter/@ANI)

Data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) Friday showed that air quality has deteriorated significantly due to strong upper level (700-1000 m) wind blowing towards Delhi from stubble-burning areas. (PTI Photo)

During the press conference, Kejriwal requested people not to blame Punjab's farmers for the pollution crisis in North India. He added, "We will take responsibility and ensure that measures are put in place to mitigate the crisis.” (Photo: Twitter/@ANI)

The Punjab government on October 30, 2022, had said that no strict action will be taken against farmers who are caught burning paddy stubble, after BKU Ugrahan protested outside Dreamland Colony, a rented space of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, for 20 days during the month. (PTI Photo)

Following the AAP-led conference, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra held another, where the former called Arvind Kejriwal the "enemy of Delhi." (Photo: Twitter/@BJP4India)

Soon after, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar asserted that stubble burning is not a political issue, and asked state governments to work together to curb the crisis. (PTI Photo)

Members at the BJP-led conference alleged that farm fires had spiked by 34 per cent under AAP's rule. (Photo: Twitter/@BJP4India)

The Delhi government implemented the CAQM recommendations to curb air pollution, under which all petrol and diesel trucks, lorry and commercial vehicles except Essentials and CNG vehicles will not be allowed to enter Delhi. (PTI Photo)

CM Kejriwal, during the conference, also announced that all primary schools will be shut in the National Capital from tomorrow onwards. In this picture, a child is seen playing with a tyre at a field as smoke billows from the burning paddy stubble, in Jalandhar, on October 31, 2022. (PTI Photo)