Delhi pollution crisis: Parliament debate scheduled for 2 pm today

The crisis of worsening air quality in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) is up for a detailed discussion in Parliament today. There will be a special focus on deteriorating air quality and the effectiveness of existing mitigation measures in Delhi and adjoining regions under Rule 193.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj will raise the discussion today at 2 pm in the Lok Sabha, during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.

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Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav will be responding to the concerns at 5 pm in the Lower House. He will respond to the queries raised and explain the government’s plan of action against hazardous pollution levels.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 358 in the “very poor” category, as of 10 am today, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

Opposition raises concern over rising AQI

Ahead of the discussion regarding air pollution in Parliament, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav mocked Delhi CM Rekha Gupta for calling AQI a temperature value. He said “According to the Delhi chief minister, there is no pollution in Delhi. She says the AQI is the temperature, so she does not know what pollution is.”

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari stressed that breathing in the national capital has become difficult. He called Delhi a gas chamber, where people are trapped and feel suffocated. He accused the government of inaction against the growing pollution menace in Delhi. He said, “For 11 years, the Modi government has been in power at the centre. What have they done?… I also hold the previous AAP government responsible… Both of these have made life difficult in Delhi, making it hard for the common man to breathe…”

Anti-pollution measures taken so far

As a toxic smog blankets the city, GRAP 4 has been invoked and related restrictions are in place in the national capital. Yesterday, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra had informed that GRAP-4 is in effect in Delhi. Previously, GRAP-3 was in effect in Delhi for 16 days, when all construction work throughout Delhi was put on hold.

Also, Delhi government has decided that all registered and verified construction labourers will be given Rs 10,000 each as GRAP-3 compensation via DBT. When GRAP-4 is revoked, the number of GRAP-4 days will also be counted, and the registered construction workers will be duly compensated.

With effect from 12 am last night, vehicles without a PUCC (Pollution Under Control Certificate) will not be provided fuel at petrol pumps in Delhi. Yesterday, the Supreme Court ordered that the Delhi government can act against owners who are using vehicles below the BS IV emission standard in the NCR region. Vehicles without a PUCC (Pollution Under Control Certificate) will not receive fuel at petrol pumps. Trucks carrying construction materials into Delhi have also been banned.