No help from Centre to tackle winter pollution: Minister Rai

New Delhi, September 1

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Sunday blamed the BJP-led Central Government for not cooperating with his ministry to tackle the national capital’s winter air pollution.

“Ever since our government has been formed in Delhi, the pollution level has been continuously decreasing. The data of the whole year tells this,” Rai claimed.

However, he noted that despite these efforts, pollution spikes in November, creating an emergency situation in Delhi and neighbouring states.

He elaborated on the emergency measures proposed by experts, including the use of artificial rain—a technique proven effective in countries like China, Malaysia and Pakistan.

Rai recalled, “Last year, an environment expert from the IIT, Kanpur, had proposed to us that in many countries artificial rain and cloud seeding are being used to deal with such emergency situations. This time, we thought the work should be done on time and since it requires permission from many Central agencies, after meeting experts, we requested the Union Environment Minister and asked for his cooperation.”

Rai added that despite repeated attempts, his requests to meet with the Union Environment Minister had gone unanswered.

“For five years, I have not got time to meet the Union Environment Minister of BJP,” the minister said.

Addressing the BJP’s criticism regarding the installation of smog towers, Rai pointed out that these towers were part of a Supreme Court-ordered pilot project. He questioned, “The BJP is saying that the smog tower built by the Delhi Government wasted money, while the smog tower installed by the Central Government in Anand Vihar saved money. The Supreme Court had ordered a pilot project and we completed it.”

Rai also called attention to the ongoing need for cooperation between the Centre and the Delhi Government, noting that the pollution affecting Delhi originated largely from neighbouring states.

“If pollution is to be reduced, all states of Delhi NCR and the Central Government will have to cooperate with each other,” he further said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Congress unit said the AAP does not cite stubble burning in Punjab for Delhi’s air pollution, but blames other neighbouring states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana for the Capital’s pollution.

“When the Congress was in power in Punjab, the Kejriwal Government blamed stubble burning in Punjab for Delhi’s air pollution, but suddenly stopped this cry after the AAP assumed power in the state,” said Congress state president Devender Yadav.

He said in the past 10 years, the Kejriwal government had not bothered to address the real causes for Delhi’s air pollution.