'I apologise': Sirsa says impossible to fix air pollution in 9-10 months

Dense fog disrupts Delhi airport operations; 131 flights cancelled

- AIMAN FATIMA

Apologising to Delhiites for worsening air quality, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday announced a series of stringent measures to combat vehicular and industrial pollution, including the denial of fuel to vehicles without a valid PUCC certificate and restrictions on polluting vehicles entering the capital from December 18.

Addressing a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat, Sirsa said, “I apologise to the people of Delhi for the rising air pollution. We are working consistently to reduce it day by day.”

He admitted that pollution could not be fixed within nine to ten months of a new government assuming office, while holding the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dispensation responsible for what he termed a longstanding crisis.

Sirsa said, “This disease of pollution is given to us by the Aam Aadmi Party, and we are working to fix it.”

Announcing fresh restrictions, the minister said that from December 18, petrol, diesel and CNG will not be sold to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). “To control vehicular tailpipe emissions, all fuel dealers are directed to dispense fuel only on production of a valid PUCC,” he said, urging citizens not to argue with fuel station staff or enforcement officials if found non-compliant.