New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has challenged claims linking his state to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality, arguing that wind patterns do not support the movement of smoke from Punjab to the national capital. Addressing the issue amid rising pollution levels, he maintained that the sources of Delhi’s pollution lie within the city and its neighbouring states, not in Punjab’s agricultural fields.
Mann stated that Delhi’s Air Quality Index had already reached the “very poor” range before paddy harvesting began in Punjab. He added that the state’s rice is largely exported and is not a staple food for most residents, suggesting that assumptions about Punjab’s farming practices contributing heavily to pollution are misplaced. According to him, for smoke to travel from Punjab to Delhi in a short period, wind would need to blow consistently from the north toward the south at a high speed, which he said does not occur during this season.
Delhi, meanwhile, woke up to dense smog on Tuesday, with average pollution levels showing no improvement. The city recorded an AQI of 341 at 7 AM, firmly in the “very poor” category. Several areas reported even higher readings, including Dhaula Kuan at 365 and Anand Vihar at 381. Other parts such as Ghazipur and Akshardham also remained in the same category, reflecting widespread air quality distress.
The debate took a political turn as Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa criticised the Punjab government, alleging that farmers were being compelled to burn crop residue despite receiving financial support to avoid the practice. He pointed to recent incidents and claimed that these were part of an organised effort, accusing the state administration of neglecting its responsibilities.
Sirsa also referenced past statements made by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, noting that he had previously outlined how stubble smoke from Punjab could impact the capital’s air. He argued that the current stance of the Punjab government contradicted earlier positions, adding to the ongoing blame game over the region’s annual pollution crisis.
While acknowledging that multiple states contribute to the problem, the dispute underscores the recurring tensions surrounding pollution management and accountability across northern India.
