Priyanka Gandhi calls on PM Modi Delhi CM for smog clearance
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday called on
PM Modi and the Delhi
CM Rekha Gupta to initiate steps to “clear the filthy smog” in the Capital.
As per the Wayanad
MP, the Centre and state government “need to act immediately”
on the matter. Taking to her social media platform X Priyanka compared Delhi’s air quality to that in Kerala’s Wayanad. “Returning to the Delhi air from Wayanad first, then Bachwara in Bihar is truly shocking,” she said, adding that pollution had enveloped the Capital “like a grey shroud.”
Priyanka also urged all political leaders to join hands “notwithstanding their political compulsions and do something about it. The Wayanad MP also assured support and cooperation from everyone with whatever actions they choose to take to mitigate this awful situation.
She showcased that those with respiratory issues, children commuting to school daily and senior citizens need “urgent intervention.” Adding that year after year the Delhi citizens report subjected to this toxicity with no recourse
‘Cruel joke’:
Meanwhile, Congress general secretary
in-charge (Communications) Jairam Ramesh criticised the winter cloud seeding experiment conducted by the BJP-led government in Delhi. while referring to it as a “cruel joke”.
Taking to his X Jairam said that Delhi Govt has spent ₹34 crore on a winter cloud seeding experiment in order to improve air quality.
He also said that in December 2024, the Union Minister of State of Environment, Forests, and Climate had told the Rajya Sabha that three specialised agencies had “clearly advised against” winter cloud seeding to improve air quality in Delhi. These agencies were the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCT, the Central Pollution Control Board, and the Indian Meteorological Department, Ramesh said.
He further highlighted a detailed report from the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences at IIT Delhi on the subject, which was released on Friday (October 31). According to Ramesh the report “makes it clear that winter cloud seeding won’t help enhance the atrocious air quality in Delhi in any significant manner.
Ramesh also said that the experiment looks “dramatic” and “gives the impression that something is demonstrably being done.” However, he flagged concerns regarding the “doubts and serious questions on its efficacy.”
“Is it wise to lay so much store by it except as a headline-grabbing measure? Getting ‘slight improvement in a limited area for a day or two’ as is now being claimed is really a cruel joke.
News Edit KV Raman
