Government approach to pollution control insincere: Sachdeva

Criticising the Delhi government’s approach to pollution control, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Sunday called it ‘insincere and primarily focused on maintaining visibility for the Environment Minister Gopal Rai’.

Sachdeva said the pollution control was seen by Rai merely as a way to stay in the news. Pointing to the findings from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and reports submitted to the Supreme Court, he said, “Stubble burning in Punjab and dust from poorly maintained roads in Delhi are the major contributors to air pollution in North India, particularly Delhi. Yet, the Environment Minister avoids discussing these issues as the responsibility lies with the AAP governments in Punjab and Delhi.”

Asking the government to prioritise road repairs, the BJP leader said the poor condition of roads in Delhi contributes majorly to pollution rather than vehicular emissions. “Gopal Rai should focus on road repairs rather than wasting public funds on awareness campaigns like ‘road light on, engine off’,” he said.Sachdeva also questioned the government’s push to increase the use of public transport and the increase in parking fees in an effort to reduce vehicular pollution.