Centre not keen despite SC order to curb pollution: AAP

New Delhi: As the air quality in Delhi again deteriorated to alarming levels, the AAP on Thursday hit out at the Centre for not taking “concrete steps” to tackle pollution despite a Supreme Court direction to expedite deliberations to find a permanent solution to the problem.

The air quality remained in the “severe” category on Thursday and the Delhi-NCR region was shrouded by a thick layer of toxic smog.

It neared the “emergency” level for the second time in a fortnight on Wednesday due to raging farm fires in neighbouring states and unfavourable weather.

Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that BJP is trying to “politicise” a sensitive issue like pollution and the Centre is not taking concrete steps to tackle the issue.

“The BJP, on the other hand, is trying to increase pollution in the national capital. I think it is time that the Centre clarifies why no concrete steps are being taken despite the Supreme Court’s direction,” Mr Singh told reporters.

The AAP MP claimed that a meeting on pollution held by environment minister Prakash Javadekar was not attended by state environment ministers of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan.

“I request these ministers to show some seriousness towards the sensitive issue. Just to portray AAP in bad light, you are putting people at risk not only in Delhi but also in Punjab and Haryana who are suffering due to pollution owing to stubble burning,” he said.

Schools in the Delhi-NCR region remained closed as per the direction of the authorities on Wednesday night. The closure of the schools was recommended by the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) citing hazardous air quality.

Many students wrote letters to the Prime Minister urging him to take measures to ensure clean air for them. A student from Noida said that the air pollution has forced him to stay indoors.

“I cannot play outside because the air is too toxic to breathe in,” he said.

Another student wrote to the PM: “We need a strong directive from the Centre and the governments of the states affected to control this serious condition. We do have belief in our beloved Prime Minister, who will surely take strong decision on this.”