Can Only Seek Their Mercy: LG As Farms Smoulder In Punjab

In a scathing criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) governments in Delhi and Punjab over the ongoing pollution crisis, lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena on Thursday said that "nothing concrete" has been done in the national capital to tackle the issue, while Punjab was "playing truant" as farm fires rage in the neighbouring state.

The AAP retorted by saying that the measures it has taken in both states so far have been effective even as it blamed the neighbouring Haryana for not stepping up with regard to switching to cleaner fuels and reducing stubble burning.

In a series of posts on social media platform X, Saxena, citing multiple media reports, said that Delhi needs action, "not mere posturing", "politics of propaganda" and "publicity around props like smog towers" in a reference to the Delhi government's Red Light On, Gaadi Off and the odd-even schemes.

He added that the Capital's crisis can be mitigated by reducing "dust that our unrepaired roads, unpaved pavements and construction sites cause" and curbing vehicular emissions.