Chandigarh, Nov 19 — Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday firmly denied that stubble-burning in the state is responsible for Delhi’s deteriorating air quality, arguing that winds and geographical factors prevent smoke from travelling to the capital.
“The smoke from Punjab doesn’t even reach Delhi. For smoke to travel from Punjab to Delhi in 10 days, it requires wind blowing north to south at 30 kmph—something that never happens. The smoke that reaches Delhi remains over Connaught Place. What a joke!” Mann said during a press briefing.
He highlighted that Delhi’s AQI had already crossed 400 before Punjab’s paddy harvesting season began, and pointed out that 99 per cent of Punjab’s rice is exported rather than consumed locally. “There are Haryana, Rajasthan and UP neighbouring Delhi, plus Delhi’s own pollution. Paddy harvesting in Punjab cannot be blamed,” he added.
Delhi’s air quality remained in the “very poor” range on Tuesday, with an average AQI of 341 at 7 a.m., according to the CPCB. Monitoring stations at Dhaula Kuan (365), Anand Vihar (381), Ghazipur (345), and Akshardham (381) reported similar levels.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa hit back, accusing Punjab’s AAP government of “forcing” farmers to burn stubble. “Masked people were seen burning crop residue, and an AAP worker admitted he was compelled,” Sirsa said.
Sirsa also criticised AAP for reversing its stance on stubble burning. “When Arvind Kejriwal was Delhi CM, he explained how Punjab’s stubble affects Delhi. Now the same people are silent in power,” he said, while acknowledging that pollution also originates from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
