AAP's politics responsible for Delhi air pollution, Yamuna contamination: BJP

New Delhi: BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla on Friday attacked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for pollution in the Yamuna River, highlighting that the toxic foam floating on the water proved a serious threat to the safety of devotees during Chhath Puja. He blamed AAP's political actions for the contamination of the river.
Speaking to ANI at Yamuna ghat at Kalindi Kunj, the BJP leader said, "Many people have gathered here to offer prayers to the Sun god. But the situation is such that the Delhi High Court had to say that no one should go to the ghats to offer prayers as it may affect their health. Even Congress leaders have said how the condition of the Yamuna river has deteriorated."
"Today, a thick layer of toxic foam is floating on the surface of the river. The health of the sisters from Purvanchal, who have come to the Yamuna ghat to offer prayers to the Sun god, is being compromised. Rs 7,000 crore have been spent but the condition of the river has worsened. Devotees have gathered here but Arvind Kejriwal is missing. AAP's politics is responsible for pollution," said Poonawalla.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari also took a swipe at the Delhi government for the poor air quaity in the national capital.
"The pollution in Delhi has reached such dangerous levels, that speaking about it feels like a mere formality now. AAP left no scope in making Delhi a gas chamber. AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal is given rise to a new style of working where he himself is in power but blames others for all the setbacks," Tiwari said.
"We (BJP) are constantly urging the people of Delhi, that the elections are very close, to remove those who are constantly trying to kill you and give a chance to BJP's double-engine government. We will make Delhi a world-class capital city," he added.
The air quality of the national capital continued to remain in the 'very poor category,' with the city blanketed with smog for the eighth consecutive day post-Diwali on Friday.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 383 as of 8 am today, categorised as 'very poor.'
Devotees offered prayers to the rising Sun on the last day of Chhath Puja at Yamuna ghat in Delhi's Kalindi Kunj area.
Drone visuals shot at 6.55 am today showed thick toxic foam floating on the Yamuna River in Kalindi Kunj, as the pollution level in the river remains high.
On Thursday, the third day of Chhath Puja also devotees offered 'Arghya' to the setting Sun while standing in the water of toxic foam-laden Yamuna River, in Kalindi Kunj.
In view of this a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed seeking permission to perform Chhath Puja on the banks of the Yamuna River, challenging the ban on the ritual.
However, the Delhi High Court refused to issue any directions, citing the severe contamination of the Yamuna River.
The bench led by Chief Justice of Delhi, emphasized that allowing people to perform the puja in the river could lead to health issues, referring to a recent case where an individual fell ill after taking a dip in the polluted water and was hospitalized.
The court also highlighted that nearly 1,000 alternative locations had been designated for the puja, with adequate arrangements made for the celebration.
As a result, the petition was dismissed.An AQI is considered "poor" between '200 and 300', "very poor" at '301 and 400', "severe" at '401-450," and 450 and above is "severe plus."
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday chaired a meeting with concerned departments on the issue of rising pollution levels in national capital.
Gopal Rai pitched for a united effort in North Indian states to mitigate pollution, while accusing BJP governments in neighbouring states of doing 'politics' over air pollution.