New Delhi, October 18: As the national capital grapples with rising air pollution, Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Friday reached 'Smog Tower' to protest over the same. Slamming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the BJP leader said that Arvind Kejriwal had cheated the people in the national capital in the name of air pollution now their health has been put at risk.

"Today Delhi has become a gas chamber due to blame game politics of the Aam Aadmi Party. They had made big promises that they would make Delhi pollution-free. Look at the condition of Yamuna today and Delhi has become a gas chamber. Aam Aadmi Party bans firecrackers on Diwali but the smog tower on which Rs 23 crore was spent has been locked... The way the Aam Aadmi Party has cheated people in the name of pollution and is working to make Delhi the most poisonous and polluted city, this will be exposed," said Poonawalla. ‘Delhi Has Become Gas Chamber’: Shehzad Poonawalla Wears Gas Mask While Protesting Against AAP Government Over Delhi Air Pollution (Watch Video).

Shehzad Poonawalla Protests Delhi Pollution Wearing Gas Mask

"This smog tower has been locked since January. It is because of the polluted politics of Arvind Kejriwal that the health of our old citizens and children has been put at risk," he added. Notably, the smog tower stopped working after the personnel responsible for its operation 'locked it' due to non-payment of their salaries for December 2023 and no written 'job guarantee' from the Delhi government.

Meanwhile, a layer of smog engulfed the national capital on Friday as the overall Air Quality Index dropped to the 'Poor' category standing at 293 at 8 am. AQI at Anand Vihar area of Delhi dropped to 339 at 8 am, which is categorised as 'Very Poor'. Delhi Weather AQI Update: Air Quality Remains ‘Poor’ for Fifth Consecutive Day, Layer of Fog Engulfs India Gate and Other Areas (Watch Videos).

AQI at India Gate and surrounding areas has been recorded at 270 at 8 am, marked as 'Poor'. AQI at Dwarka, Sector-8 has been recorded at 325 at 8 am putting the area under the 'Very Poor' category. Vivek Vihar area of the national capital has moved to the category Very Poor' with AQI standing at 324 at 8 am.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI when marked under the 'Poor' category can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure, whereas, when under the 'Very poor' category can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.

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