Govt steps up fight against pollution

Making city's air clean is top priority & for this, measures being taken at every level: Gupta

- SHEKHAR SINGH @ New Delhi

CHIEF Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday announced a set of measures aimed at tackling the capital's persistent air pollution problem, while sharply criticising the previous AAP-led government for its alleged failure to address the issue.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gupta said that due to the negligence and policy failures of past governments, Delhi had become the most polluted city in the country.

"But now the situation is changing. The government is working with a concrete and comprehensive strategy to control air pollution," she further claimed. Outlining the current administration's efforts, she said an ambitious electric vehicle policy is being introduced to accelerate the shift away from polluting fuels. In addition, over 1,000 water sprinklers are being installed across the city to help suppress dust and particulate matter.

Another major component of the government's plan involves expanding Delhi's green cover. According to Gupta, work is underway to plant more than 70 lakh trees in the capital in a bid to naturally combat air pollution and improve overall air quality.