As the Supreme Court reprimanded the Delhi government for the deteriorating air quality, Chief Minister Atishi shifted the blame to the BJP-led central government, accusing it of neglecting the stubble burning issue, which contributes significantly to the capital’s air pollution.

On Monday, Atishi described the hazardous air quality in North India as a medical emergency, attributing the crisis to stubble burning. She slammed the central government for “only indulging in politics” and failing to take action on this pressing environmental concern.

The air quality in Delhi has been steadily declining since the end of October, exacerbated by factors such as firecrackers and stubble burning, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Atishi questioned the central government, asking why stubble burning has worsened in the past 6-7 years and demanding to know what measures have been taken to curb it.

She pointed out that her party, the AAP-led Punjab government, had reduced stubble burning by 80%, and questioned why other states had not followed suit. “Why has North India been plunged into a state of medical emergency?” she asked.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality reached alarming levels, with the AQI crossing into the ‘severe-plus’ category. On Monday morning, the overall AQI in Delhi stood at 484, according to the Sameer app, triggering the activation of Stage 4 of the anti-pollution Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and raising the possibility of implementing the odd-even car rule.

Delhi and surrounding areas like Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad were shrouded in dense smog, with some regions experiencing near-zero visibility. The Supreme Court also questioned the Delhi government about delays in enforcing GRAP measures, emphasizing the urgent need for action to address the rising pollution levels.