New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday rapped Arvind Kejriwal's Delhi government over the spike in pollution in the city. It asked why choppers are not artificially being used to trigger rain to control dust pollution.
"All the constitutional authorities and statutory bodies measurably failed to perform their duties. So far pollution is the concern, it is a joint responsibility of all the stakeholders," it said.
The bench has directed the pollution control boards of all the concerned states to monitor parameters.
NGT observed that even construction works taking place openly isn't being stopped, and when such a situation has ensued, now action is being promised. The bench further slammed the neighboring states of Delhi and raised question on their seriousness on the grievous situation.
"Articles 21 & 48 of the Constitution mandate that it is the responsibility of governments to make sure that citizens get a clean and conducive environment. Right to life is being snatched from people since they're not getting a clean environment," it added.
On Thursday, Delhi woke up to a smoggy morning as a thick blanket of smog still engulfs the city.
The pollution level in Punjabi Bagh and R.K. Puram were at the maximum with Air Quality Index reaching up to 799 and 652 respectively, which is comparatively less than in the past three days.
The maximum Air quality in the national capital and its nearby areas is hovering between 400-700, which is above the danger level.
The lowest pollution level was recorded in East Delhi's Dilshad Garden area with 264 AQI.
A total of 41 trains are arriving late in Delhi area due to smog, nine trains have been rescheduled and 10 cancelled.
In the wake of the pollution level in the city reaching the hazardous level, the Health Ministry on Wednesday issued a pollution advisory, asking citizens to drink plenty of water and to avoid areas with smoke or heavy dust, among other measures.
All schools in the nation capital will remain shut till Saturday.
