Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. Calling pollution control a “top administrative priority,” she directed all departments to coordinate and take urgent corrective measures.
The meeting was attended by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Public Works Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh, Development Minister Kapil Mishra, Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Inder Singh, Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma, and other senior officials.
Also Read – Neal Katyal: The Indian-American Lawyer Challenging Trump’s Tariff Powers
Special Teams to Monitor Industrial Units and Vehicles
CM Gupta ordered the creation of special monitoring teams to check industrial units and vehicles violating emission norms. She warned that violators would face strict fines and legal action.
Additional teams will focus on preventing garbage burning — one of Delhi’s major pollution sources. The Chief Minister also emphasized the importance of dust control, directing the use of truck-mounted water sprinklers and mechanical dust suppression in pollution “hotspot” areas.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been instructed to intensify road and market cleaning and ensure timely garbage collection. The government is also considering providing night-duty heaters to security personnel during the winter months, when pollution levels peak.
AQI in ‘Very Poor’ Category for Third Consecutive Day
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 316 on Monday, falling in the “very poor” category for the third straight day.
Data from the CPCB’s Sameer app showed 28 monitoring stations reporting readings above 300.
Also Read – R Ashwin Credits Shree Charani as Key Factor in India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup Victory
Rahul Gandhi Slams BJP Over Pollution Crisis
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Delhi for failing to control the rising pollution levels.
In a post on X, Gandhi said the capital’s air has become “increasingly poisonous,” accusing the ruling party of offering only “excuses.”
He shared a video of himself near India Gate, describing breathing difficulties and eye irritation. Gandhi questioned whether farmers and vehicular emissions alone were to blame and said he had considered relocating his mother, Sonia Gandhi, from Delhi due to the toxic air.
