Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal has questioned Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s scientific basis for claims on air pollution, particularly her assertion that AQI is a type of temperature. Gupta defended water spraying at pollution hotspots as a solution, a practice she stated was also employed by previous governments. Arvind Kejriwal (left), Rekha Gupta (agencies) NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday targeted Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta over her remarks on air pollution, sharing a video of her comments and questioning the scientific basis of her claims.Posting in Hindi on X, Kejriwal wrote: “AQI monitors are installed, water is being sprayed there so that the truth about pollution doesn’t reach the people of Delhi. In other words, there’s a game afoot to hide the figures and make it look like the ‘air is clean’. Second thing – when did this new science come about that AQI has now become temperature?”Also read: ‘India’s 10 most polluted cities in Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad tops list’The video shared by Kejriwal showed Gupta defending water spraying at pollution hotspots. In the clip, she said: “So you will spray (water) at a hotspot. Does spraying water on a monitor bring down the AQI, she questioned. “AQI ek aisa temperature hai, jo kisi bhi instrument se pata chalta hai. Toh usme watering is the only solution. Jo hum kar rahe hai, jo pichli sarkare bhi karti thi, aur wo hotspot pe hi hota hai jahan sabse zyada pollution hoga, wahi toh aap safai karenge (AQI is a kind of measurement that can be detected using any instrument. So watering is the only solution for it. That’s what we are doing — just as previous governments did — and it is done only at the hotspots, where pollution is highest. That’s exactly where you would carry out cleaning.),” she said at a media event.The exchange comes at a time when Delhi continues to battle hazardous air. On Tuesday morning, the city woke up to a layer of smog that reduced visibility across several areas. The AQI stood at 292 at 8 am, falling into the ‘poor’ category. Key locations also recorded worrying readings: 265 around India Gate, 294 at ITO, 282 at Alipur, 253 at Aya Nagar, and 291 at Burari. In Akshardham, Ghazipur and Anand Vihar, the AQI touched 319, categorised as ‘very poor’.The worsening air comes despite ongoing government measures. The Delhi government has formed an Expert Group on Air Pollution Mitigation to advise on long-term strategies and emerging technologies. Headed by retired IAS officer Leena Nandan, the panel includes senior scientists, former CPCB officials, IIT professors and representatives from CAQM and IMD. It will meet monthly and offer sector-specific recommendations, covering transport, industry, waste burning and construction.Rekha Gupta has separately emphasised mist spray technology as a key intervention, saying trials at ITO and other NDMC areas have “shown positive results”. She said 305 mist sprayers are being installed at nine hotspots, alongside measures such as filling potholes, improving road surfaces and encouraging residents to report civic issues to prevent dust and waste-related pollution.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 MediaVideos”Love For India Not Conditional” Owaisi Rejects Vande Mataram As Test Of PatriotismTrump Warns India On Rice Dumping As US Farmers Demand Action Against Cheap Imports’Nonchalant, Lackadaisical Attitude’: Ex-AirAsia CFO Breaks Down Indigo Fiasco’It Was Treated Like An Extra’: Rajnath Singh Slams Congress For ‘Injustice’ To Vande Mataram’Biggest Mistake’: TMC’s Mahua Moitra Blasts PM Modi, Dares BJP To Win Bengal With Divisive PoliticsIndia Issues Warning To China Over Targeting Indians, Blasts Pakistan’s Remarks On Arunachal PradeshThe Truth Behind Curtailed Vande Mataram : Politics, Unity And A Century Of Cultural TensionAAP MP Raghav Chadha Calls Out ‘Legalised Loot’ Of Toll Plazas In Rajya Sabha’Only 2 Reasons’: Priyanka Gandhi Slams PM Modi, Links Vande Mataram Debate To Bengal Polls’Jinnah Ka Munna…’: Anurag Thakur’s Brutal Attack on Congress, Rips Apart Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi123Photostories’Simha’, ‘Legend’, ‘Narasimha Naidu’ and others: Nandamuri Balakrishna films to revisit while you wait for ‘Akhanda 2’Elon Musk says ditch these 6 habits if you want to succeed, starting todayChanakya Niti Based On Your Date of BirthKidney health: Coconut water and other unexpected foods that stress your kidneysHow to make Instant Oats Idli for breakfastBhagavad Gita lesson for each birth month (powerful guide)Baby names for boys born on TuesdayHanuman Chalisa Verses According To Your Date of BirthInside Big Boss season 19 winner Gaurav Khanna’s serene and stylish Mumbai homeAnanya Panday drops chic photo dump as she serves fashion goals before ‘Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri’ release123Hot PicksIndigo Flight DelayPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJalen HurtsDonald TrumpSophie RainMariasharapova and Alexander Net worthAryna Sabalenka Net WorthAlix EarleRafael Nadal and Mery Net WorthCandace OwensMirka Federer Net WorthCardi B
NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday targeted Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta over her remarks on air pollution, sharing a video of her comments and questioning the scientific basis of her claims.Posting in Hindi on X, Kejriwal wrote: “AQI monitors are installed, water is being sprayed there so that the truth about pollution doesn’t reach the people of Delhi. In other words, there’s a game afoot to hide the figures and make it look like the ‘air is clean’. Second thing – when did this new science come about that AQI has now become temperature?”Also read: ‘India’s 10 most polluted cities in Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad tops list’The video shared by Kejriwal showed Gupta defending water spraying at pollution hotspots. In the clip, she said: “So you will spray (water) at a hotspot. Does spraying water on a monitor bring down the AQI, she questioned. “AQI ek aisa temperature hai, jo kisi bhi instrument se pata chalta hai. Toh usme watering is the only solution. Jo hum kar rahe hai, jo pichli sarkare bhi karti thi, aur wo hotspot pe hi hota hai jahan sabse zyada pollution hoga, wahi toh aap safai karenge (AQI is a kind of measurement that can be detected using any instrument. So watering is the only solution for it. That’s what we are doing — just as previous governments did — and it is done only at the hotspots, where pollution is highest. That’s exactly where you would carry out cleaning.),” she said at a media event.The exchange comes at a time when Delhi continues to battle hazardous air. On Tuesday morning, the city woke up to a layer of smog that reduced visibility across several areas. The AQI stood at 292 at 8 am, falling into the ‘poor’ category. Key locations also recorded worrying readings: 265 around India Gate, 294 at ITO, 282 at Alipur, 253 at Aya Nagar, and 291 at Burari. In Akshardham, Ghazipur and Anand Vihar, the AQI touched 319, categorised as ‘very poor’.The worsening air comes despite ongoing government measures. The Delhi government has formed an Expert Group on Air Pollution Mitigation to advise on long-term strategies and emerging technologies. Headed by retired IAS officer Leena Nandan, the panel includes senior scientists, former CPCB officials, IIT professors and representatives from CAQM and IMD. It will meet monthly and offer sector-specific recommendations, covering transport, industry, waste burning and construction.Rekha Gupta has separately emphasised mist spray technology as a key intervention, saying trials at ITO and other NDMC areas have “shown positive results”. She said 305 mist sprayers are being installed at nine hotspots, alongside measures such as filling potholes, improving road surfaces and encouraging residents to report civic issues to prevent dust and waste-related pollution.
