Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal-led govt fails to curb air pollution; NGT imposes Rs 25 crore fine

On Monday, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of Rs 25 crore on Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government for failing to curb air pollution in the national capital of the country.

Reportedly, the said amount will be deducted from the salary of Delhi government officials and people who are polluting the environment. Also, if the Delhi government fails to pay the fine, it’ll have to pay a fine of Rs 10 crore per month.

Recently, air quality in Delhi has hit a record low after Diwali, which left hazardous pollution behind it. It is observed that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar, area around US embassy at RK Puram reached ‘hazardous’ level.

The state government had launched a number of pollution-curbing initiatives in the capital region but failed to curb pollution. As per the AQI data, the major pollutant PM 2.5 and PM 10 touched Hazardous level in Lodhi Road area, Chanakyapuri, Anand Vihar and area around Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

NGT has imposed a fine of Rs.25 cr on Delhi Govt for failing to curb the problem of pollution in capital city. This is to be deducted from salary of Delhi Govt officials&ppl polluting environment. If Delhi Govt fails to pay the fine, it’ll have to pay a fine of Rs.10 cr per month pic.twitter.com/40mcTfqHx0

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2018

According to reports, the air quality further worsened due to bad weather conditions and stubble burning in neighbouring Haryana and Punjab, said System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

Also read: Delhi: Air quality index recorded in ‘very poor’ category; worst in Narela at 449