New Delhi – The political friction over Delhi’s persistent air pollution escalated on Tuesday as Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann categorically denied that smoke from Punjab’s farm fires was contributing to the toxic haze over the national capital.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, CM Mann dismissed the claims, stating, “…The smoke from Punjab doesn’t even reach Delhi.” He argued that for the smoke to travel the required distance in 10 days, a sustained north-to-south wind speed of 30 kmph would be necessary, a condition he asserted “never happens.”
The CM’s statement was a direct counter to the Delhi administration, following an attack by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on the Punjab government over stubble burning during the Northern Zonal Council meeting on November 17.
Mann emphasized that Delhi’s own pollution sources including neighboring Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are primary culprits. He highlighted that Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) reached over 400 even before paddy harvesting began in Punjab.
Delhi’s Air Quality Remains ‘Very Poor’
Despite the political denial of Punjab’s role, Delhi continued to grapple with severely polluted air. On Tuesday, the city’s average AQI stood at 344 (classified as “very poor”).
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that four monitoring stations registered pollution levels in the even more dangerous “severe” (401-500) category:
• Bawana (426)
• Jahangirpuri (418)
• Wazirpur (412)
• Vivek Vihar (402)
Forecasting suggests the air quality is unlikely to improve soon, expected to remain in the “very poor” range over the coming days.
Public Outcry and Protests
The toxic air has sparked renewed public outrage, leading to demonstrations in the capital. Hundreds of Delhi residents, including students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi University (DU), and Jamia Millia Islamia, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday.
Demonstrators demanded immediate government action to combat the consistently high pollution levels, which have remained above 300 (“very poor”) since Diwali. Protesters used industrial-grade respiratory masks symbolically and displayed placards, one reading: “Delhi ICU mein hai, Govt kahan hai?” (Delhi is in intensive care, where is the Government?). This action follows a similar rally held at India Gate earlier in November.
Fact Check: Stubble Burning and Delhi’s Air
While CM Mann claims stubble smoke doesn’t reach Delhi, scientific consensus and real-time monitoring often indicate otherwise, particularly during the peak season in late October and November.
Decision Support System (DSS) Data Monitoring systems frequently record that pollutants from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana can contribute a significant fraction (sometimes over 20%) to Delhi’s PM2.5 load when northwesterly winds prevail.
Experts agree that Delhi’s air quality crisis is a combination of factors: vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, construction dust, and the burning of waste, amplified by unfavorable winter weather conditions (low wind speed and temperature inversion) that trap pollutants.
The contribution of farm fires varies daily based on wind direction and speed, but it remains a key seasonal factor driving the AQI into the ‘severe’ category.