Priyanka Gandhi’s direct question to PM Modi and CM Rekha Gupta: When will Delhi be free from ‘toxic smog’?

Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav over the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI), urging the central and state governments to address the “filthy smog” Delhiites are breathing. Vadra, a Congress MP from Wayanad, Kerala, was returning to Delhi after campaigning in Bachhwara, Bihar. In a post on Twitter (formerly Twitter), Vadra compared Delhi’s air to Wayanad’s and said the pollution covering the national capital is like a gray blanket. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the time has come for everyone to unite and do something about it, regardless of their political compulsions. He further said, “The central and state governments must take immediate action. We will all support and cooperate with whatever steps they take to mitigate this dire situation. Year after year, the citizens of Delhi suffer from this toxicity and have no choice.” Urging the Prime Minister and Chief Minister to take immediate action, he said, “People suffering from respiratory problems, children going to school daily, and especially senior citizens need immediate intervention to clear this foul smog that we are all breathing.” The AQI in Delhi has deteriorated significantly over the past few days. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday morning, after a decrease in speed. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) for Delhi, wind speeds from the northwest dropped to less than 8 kmph during the evening and night, reducing the dispersion of pollutants. 17 monitoring stations recorded ‘severe’ air quality with readings above 400. Wazirpur recorded the highest AQI of 439. According to the CPCB’s SAMEER app, 20 other stations recorded ‘very poor’ air quality with readings above 300. An air quality index between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.