Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that reducing air pollution within 9-10 months is unrealistic, apologizing for the current smog. He blamed the previous AAP government for the pollution crisis, claiming his administration is working to fix it. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa (ANI) NEW DELHI: Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday said it was unrealistic to expect any elected government to bring down air pollution within a short period, as Delhi-NCR continued to struggle with severe smog conditions, with air quality ranging from poor to severe, raising serious health concerns for residents.“It is impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9-10 months. I apologise for the pollution in Delhi. We are doing better work than the dishonest AAP government, and we have reduced AQI each day. This disease of pollution is given to us by the Aam Aadmi Party, and we are working to fix it,” Sirsa said. ‘Delhi NOT Most Polluted’: Doctor’s Shocking Reveal On Toxic Monster; And How To Fight Back Sirsa announced additional measures to curb pollution, saying that from Thursday, only BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi will be permitted to enter the national capital. IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: KKR splurge Rs 25.2 crore on Green; RCB snap up Iyer for Rs 7 croreIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whomIPL Auction 2026: Full list of retained and released playersHe also said that vehicle owners without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will be denied fuel at petrol pumps starting Thursday.According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), several areas including Anand Vihar, AIIMS, Ghazipur and India Gate reported very poor to severe air quality. Anand Vihar and Ghazipur recorded an AQI of 410 each, categorised as ‘severe’, while AIIMS stood at 397 and India Gate at 380, both in the ‘very poor’ category.With pollution levels exceeding critical limits, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked all measures under Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. Stage-IV is the strictest level of restrictions, applied when AQI exceeds 450, and is aimed at reducing public exposure and preventing further deterioration of air quality.Last week, chief minister Rekha Gupta had also addressed protests over rising pollution levels, saying the crisis was the result of years of neglect and would take time to resolve. Speaking at an event in Pitampura, she said the government needed sufficient time to deal with the long-standing problem.“Those who make big statements and protest at India Gate… pollution is not something that appeared today, it has been a problem for years.What did the previous government do? Where were you at that time? This is a backlog of 27 years. The government needs at least 27 months to clear the backlog of 27 years,” Gupta said.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Pitches New Economic Corridor As King Abdullah Praises India’s Growth At Jordan Forum MeetPriyanka Gandhi Targets VB-G RAM G Bill Over MGNREGA, Blasts Centre’s Name Change TacticsSonia Gandhi Targets Modi Govt On ASHA, Anganwadi Workers In Rajya SabhaNational Herald Case: Court Declines To Act On ED Chargesheet, Congress Claims Truth Has PrevailedEverything Fine, Says Shashi Tharoor After Skipping Congress Rally Amid Growing Speculation of RiftDelhi-Agra Expressway Crash: Multiple Buses Catch Fire, 4 Dead, 25 InjuredPM Modi Praises Jordan’s Fight Against Terrorism As India And Jordan Strengthen Strategic RelationsIndia Slams Pakistan As ‘Global Epicentre Of Terror’, Vows To Counter Pak-Sponsored Attacks At UNNIA Names Pakistani Handler Sajid Jatt In Pahalgam Terror Attack ChargesheetIndian Army Displays Turkish Yiiha Drone Used By Pakistan During Operation Sindoor123PhotostoriesFSSAI launches egg safety drive: What is it and how it is going to help customersVijay Diwas 2025: 6 powerful quotes honouring our brave soldiers !Things To Avoid On Your Birthday According To Your Birth DateLost, tired, angry: Scenes of confusion as Bengaluru (KIA) airport enforces new cab pickup zonesChennai’s Anna Nagar parking revamp to add 2,100 marked bays, ease congestion and curb roadside chaosYour Love Language Based On Your Birth NumberRucha Hasabnis to Somendra Solanki: Hindi television stars who retired too soon7 words to fuel your child’s inner motivation WS in parenting5 ways to consume 30 gms of nuts daily and their benefitsFrom Manoj Bharathiraja to AVM Saravanan, remembering Tamil Cinema stars who left us in 2025123Hot Picksilia TopuriaCorona RemediesJetBlue flight VenezuelaGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJosh AllenAuston MatthewsVanessa BryantJalen Hurts Wife Net WorthBukayo Saka and Tolami Benson Net WorthConnor McDavidVenkatesh iyerAdolis GarciaSOF ICO resultFortnite Bleach Characters
NEW DELHI: Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday said it was unrealistic to expect any elected government to bring down air pollution within a short period, as Delhi-NCR continued to struggle with severe smog conditions, with air quality ranging from poor to severe, raising serious health concerns for residents.“It is impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9-10 months. I apologise for the pollution in Delhi. We are doing better work than the dishonest AAP government, and we have reduced AQI each day. This disease of pollution is given to us by the Aam Aadmi Party, and we are working to fix it,” Sirsa said.
Sirsa announced additional measures to curb pollution, saying that from Thursday, only BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi will be permitted to enter the national capital. He also said that vehicle owners without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will be denied fuel at petrol pumps starting Thursday.According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), several areas including Anand Vihar, AIIMS, Ghazipur and India Gate reported very poor to severe air quality. Anand Vihar and Ghazipur recorded an AQI of 410 each, categorised as ‘severe’, while AIIMS stood at 397 and India Gate at 380, both in the ‘very poor’ category.With pollution levels exceeding critical limits, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked all measures under Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. Stage-IV is the strictest level of restrictions, applied when AQI exceeds 450, and is aimed at reducing public exposure and preventing further deterioration of air quality.Last week, chief minister Rekha Gupta had also addressed protests over rising pollution levels, saying the crisis was the result of years of neglect and would take time to resolve. Speaking at an event in Pitampura, she said the government needed sufficient time to deal with the long-standing problem.“Those who make big statements and protest at India Gate… pollution is not something that appeared today, it has been a problem for years.What did the previous government do? Where were you at that time? This is a backlog of 27 years. The government needs at least 27 months to clear the backlog of 27 years,” Gupta said.
