Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis
Gopal Rai Calls for Unity Among North Indian States
As New Delhi struggles with severe air pollution, Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called for a collaborative effort among North Indian states to tackle the issue. He criticized the BJP governments in neighboring states for focusing on politics rather than addressing pollution.
Accusations Against BJP
Gopal Rai accused the BJP of neglecting their responsibilities, stating, “The drama of BJP workers won’t help in reducing the pollution. BJP is running away from its responsibilities.” He emphasized the need for all Northern State governments to work together, highlighting the Delhi government’s continuous efforts.
Current Air Quality Status
The air quality in Delhi has been categorized as ‘very poor’ for several days, with some areas reaching ‘severe’ levels. The Central Pollution Control Board recorded an AQI of 384 in Delhi, with several locations exceeding 400, indicating severe pollution.
Toxic Foam in Yamuna River
Minister Rai also addressed the issue of toxic foam in the Yamuna River, particularly in the Kalindi Kunj area, caused by industrial waste from Uttar Pradesh. Efforts to clean the river are ongoing, with arrangements being made for Chhath Puja in thousands of areas in Delhi.
Doubts Revealed
Gopal Rai -: Gopal Rai is the Environment Minister of Delhi, which means he is responsible for taking care of the environment in the city. He works to make sure the air, water, and land are clean and safe for people to live in.
North Indian states -: North Indian states are regions in the northern part of India, like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. These areas often face similar environmental issues, like air pollution, because they are close to each other.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India. It is important in Indian politics and has leaders who make decisions for the country and its states.
Air quality -: Air quality refers to how clean or polluted the air is. When the air quality is ‘very poor’ or ‘severe,’ it means the air has a lot of pollution, which can be harmful to people’s health.
Toxic foam -: Toxic foam is a harmful, bubbly substance that can form on water bodies like rivers. It is often caused by pollution, such as industrial waste, which can make the water unsafe for people and animals.
Yamuna River -: The Yamuna River is a major river in India that flows through several states, including Delhi. It is an important water source but often gets polluted by waste from factories and cities.
Chhath Puja -: Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. People worship the Sun God and take a holy dip in rivers, so clean water is important for this festival.
