The Delhi government on Saturday deployed 114 water tankers to sprinkle water across the city and settle dust, which is one of the major contributors to air pollution.
The move came as the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) continued to remain in the “severe” category following Diwali.
State environment minister Gopal Rai flagged off the water tankers, terming it an “emergency measure” to help people.
“Last month, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had launched an action plan that is being implemented across the city. Along with the people of Delhi, we are running the campaign to check the local source of air pollution in the city — be it dust, vehicle or biomass pollution,” Rai said.
The minister further went on to blame firecrackers and stubble burning for adding to the air pollution in the city.
“Even today, incidents of stubble burning are increasing. Yesterday, about 3,500 incidents were recorded and today, it is more than 4,000. All this is impacting Delhi’s air. As an emergency measure and to help people, we are sprinkling water from the tankers. We have even installed smog guns,” the Aam Aadmi Party leader said.
Rai on Friday accused the BJP for defying the firecracker ban, alleging that the saffron party made them burst crackers on purpose.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee also shut down 92 construction and demolition projects across the city on Friday for flouting dust control norms.
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