Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Shashi Tharoor Questions Tenability Of 'Delhi As National Capital'; Says City 'Uninhabitable' For 3 Months

Delhi is under GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) Stage IV restrictions, and we are taking every possible step to reduce vehicular and industrial pollution. Restrictions have been imposed on private vehicles and trucks, aiming to curb the number of vehicles entering the city. We are consulting specialists to explore measures to reduce the smog. One of the solutions under consideration is artificial rain, which can help settle pollutants and clear the air,

Rai said

GRAP-IV will remain in force if pollution persists, we will not give any relaxation,

the minister said

If the central government cannot act, then their (environment) minister should resign,

he added

The Delhi government is prepared to work alongside the central government, but the Centre must take the lead by convening a meeting involving experts from IIT Kanpur who have conducted extensive research on artificial rain. This requires permission and collaboration from various central departments,

he said

Manoj Tiwari (politician)bJP MP

I think we all need to wake up now. We are trying to create awareness of wearing masks but there needs to be a concrete solution which only BJP can give,

Manoj Tiwari told ANI

Pollution will not stop with advertisements and publicity. To stop pollution, one will have to work 24 hours a day..."

Sachdeva added

PM Modi should intervene, it is his moral responsibility to act. The Centre should take steps to control pollution,

he further said

I request everyone to wear masks for the coming month and in future give a chance to the BJP so that we can keep Delhi away from using masks,

he added

Should it even remain the nation’s capital?”

Calling Delhi "uninhabitable" for three months during winter and "barely liveable" for the rest of the year, Tharoor questioned

Our government has been witnessing this nightmare for years and does nothing about it.”

In a post on X, Tharoor expressed frustration, saying

Pollution comes from many sources like black carbon, ozone, burning fossil fuels, and farm fires. We need solutions that tackle all of these,

she said

This was expensive, even for a rich country like ours. Poorer nations need financial help to deal with such disasters,

she said

While we discuss major global issues, millions of people’s health is at risk. We must act fast,

she said

We are giving USD 1 trillion to corporations making huge profits, but we say there’s no money for health care. We must fund health to protect everyone,

she said

Children in cities have 40 per cent lower lung capacity compared to those in rural areas. The air we breathe is a choice we make as a society, but it’s hurting our children’s future,

he said

At its level, Delhi govt is taking all possible steps. We have directed all officials to ensure strict implementation of GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) IV guidelines. I demand that the Central government take emergency measures so that the whole of north India can be saved from this situation,

Gopal Rai said

From our side, the Delhi government is taking all the necessary steps at our level. We are monitoring everything closely and making decisions on a daily basis. We will consult experts and take all required measures."

In response to a question about the odd-even scheme in Delhi, the environment minister said

It is the constitutional obligation of the central government and state governments to ensure citizens live in a pollution free atmosphere,

the court said

I've never seen anything like this in 40 years of living here,

the Scottish historian wrote

The people of Delhi are really troubled, they can't breathe,

she told reporters Monday