Eye on Polls: Sandeep Dikshit Blames AAP for Pollution in Delhi
NEW DELHI: Sandeep Dikshit, the Congress candidate from New Delhi for the upcoming Assembly polls on February 5, has launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of neglecting the critical issues of air and water pollution in the capital. During a press conference, Dikshit asserted that over the past decade, the AAP administration has failed to take meaningful action to combat these pressing environmental challenges.
Decline in Public Transport Usage
Dikshit highlighted alarming statistics regarding public transportation. He revealed that the number of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses has plummeted from approximately 5,500 in 2013 to around 3,000 today. He stated, “In 2013, 43 lakh people used to commute in DTC buses, but today only 41 lakh people travel in DTC and cluster buses. Given the population growth, these numbers should have increased to around 60-65 lakh, yet they have declined. The shift to private transport is contributing to the rising pollution levels.”
Refuting AAP’s Claims
Dikshit also took issue with claims made by AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who asserted in a podcast that sewage capacity in Delhi had increased by 50 percent under his leadership. “In 1998-99, the sewage treatment capacity was 360 mgd. When Congress lost power in 2013, it was 613 mgd. In 2023, it is only 632 mgd,” he countered, calling AAP’s claims misleading.
Accountability for Pollution
“I blame the AAP government’s mismanagement and dishonesty for the poisonous air and water in Delhi. It is their incompetence that has hindered the augmentation of public transportation,” Dikshit concluded. His remarks come as Delhi prepares for crucial elections, with air quality and public transport being pivotal issues for voters.
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