NEW DELHI: Delhi’s chief minister, Atishi, stated that North India is facing a medical emergency due to dangerous air quality from stubble burning.
Read more: Delhi-NCR Air Pollution News Today Live Updates: Medical emergency in northern India due to stubble burning, says CM Atishi
During a press conference, Atishi claimed the central government, led by the BJP, has not taken action to stop stubble burning in BJP-ruled states like Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. She accused the government of playing politics with the pollution issue.
Atishi praised the AAP-led Punjab government, claiming it’s the only state where stubble burning cases have decreased. She said these cases have increased in BJP-ruled states.
Atishi linked Delhi’s worsening air to the hospitalization of elderly citizens and the need for inhalers and steroids for children.
She stated, “due to Delhi’s worsening air quality, the elderly are being hospitalised and children need inhalers and steroids to breathe.”
Delhi’s air quality reached the ‘severe plus’ category on Monday with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 484.
Stricter pollution control measures, including a ban on truck entry and a halt to construction on public projects, were put in place. The heavy smog significantly reduced visibility.