"Rift between Delhi and Central govt is creating problems for people": Congress leader Mumtaz Patel

Patel hit out at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and said that when they came into the government, they promised to control to resolve the issue of 'stubble burning', but they are not doing any work and are "trying to make a fool of the people."

Speaking to ANI, she said, "Currently, the Delhi Government as well as the Central Government are responsible for the rising air pollution in Delhi. The rift and blame game between Delhi's AAP government and the central government is creating problems for the people of Delhi. When AAP government came to power in Delhi, they used to say that they would resolve the issue of stubble burning if there will be the AAP government in Punjab. AAP government is just trying to make a fool of the people. They are not doing any work...When the Congress government was in Delhi, the green cover was more, more CNG buses were in service, overall, there wasn't that much pollution during Congress government in Delhi..."

Earlier today, BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla blamed the Aam Aadmi Party for deteriorating air quality in Delhi and said that AAP has brought Delhi to a state worse than Lahore and the people cannot go out without wearing a mask.

"Delhi is covered under a layer of pollution. You cannot even go out without wearing a mask. Delhi has achieved a milestone as it has crossed Lahore in pollution. AAP has brought Delhi to a state worse than Lahore. Today, the AQI is crossing the mark of 500-600. They (AAP) blame UP, Haryana and Diwali for all this. Earlier, they used to blame stubble burning in Punjab, now they don't say anything," Poonawalla said while speaking to ANI.

A dense layer of smog enveloped the national capital as the pollution levels continued to rise. The AQI level in Delhi at 8 a.m. was 428, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

According to the India Meteorological Department, increased wind activity may help lower pollutant concentrations, with AQI expected to improve to the "very poor" category.

The AQI turned "severe" for the first time this season on Wednesday, with the Commission for Air Quality Management describing the situation as an "episodic event" of "unprecedented extremely dense fog."

Bhayender, a local said that the daily activities were being affected due to the increased pollution. Speaking to ANI, he said "The pollution has increased. We are facing breathing problems and irritation in the eyes. Earlier we used to go for running, but we are not even able to do that now."

Delhi has been continuously battling with air pollution for the last 14 days, post-Diwali. (ANI)