The pollution levels in Delhi are terrible. So much so that the Delhi high court observed that living in the nation’s capital was like living in a ‘gas chamber’.
So, it’s not surprising that Congress parliamentarian Gaurav Gogoi wore a mask to Parliament on Monday to highlight the rising levels of pollution.
“I thought I would walk to Parliament, but then saw the report on pollution and decided to wear a mask. But even though I am wearing the mask, I feel the irritation on my tongue and throat,” Gogoi said was quoted as saying.
Five of India’s most polluted places today are in Delhi.
And given the condition, Delhi government led by Arvind Kejriwal proposed some stringent measures to curb the rising levels. On Friday, the Aam Aadmi Party government proposed to restrict plying of private vehicles bearing odd and even registration numbers to alternate days from January 1 in the national capital.
The city government has also decided to make it mandatory for vehicles to have Euro VI standards for vehicular emission from 2017.
And while some applauded the government on its measures, there were some that opposed it calling it a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction.
The Congress on Saturday dubbed the AAP’s initiative as a ‘knee jerk’ response without making adequate alternative arrangements for the same. Congress leader PC Chacko said that the AAP government had not done anything to improve the public transport system of the national capital, which is a prerequisite before imposing any restriction on use of private vehicles in the city.
