The Congress on Saturday sharply criticised both the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration for what it called a negligent response to Delhi’s deepening air pollution crisis.
Addressing a press conference, Congress leader Sandeep Dixit described the situation as a “murder,” arguing that safeguarding public health is a fundamental government responsibility.
He said authorities “cannot escape by putting the blame on farmers and the public,” and urged both parties to prioritise pollution control over political rivalry.
Dixit said the Capital’s deteriorating air quality is rooted in poor road infrastructure, rising congestion, and a weakened public transport system.
He claimed that average vehicular speeds have fallen drastically over the years due to the failure to expand infrastructure and curb bottlenecks. He also pointed to pollution from unauthorised industrial units, alleging political complicity in allowing such factories to operate.
Responding to the criticism, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said pollution spikes annually because both Congress and AAP failed to act decisively over the past 27 years.
He accused former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of taking no meaningful measures during his decade in power.
Delhi’s AQI stayed above 300 for the 23rd straight day on Thursday, marking one of the longest ‘very poor’ air spells since 2019.
