‘8 Months Not Enough For Visible Change’: Delhi Environment Minister Sirsa On Air Pollution

Last Updated:December 16, 2025, 15:41 IST

The minister stressed that air pollution cannot be fixed overnight and cautioned against expectations of instant, visible change.

A vehicle of the PWD sprays water using an anti-smog gun to curb air pollution amid smoggy conditions in New Delhi. (Image: AFP)

As the national capital continued to battle hazardous air quality, Delhi Environment Minister Majinder Singh Sirsa said that the steps taken by the Delhi government over the past 7–8 months were the “only reason" the city has been able to prevent pollution levels from worsening further.

Speaking to CNN-News18, Majinder Singh Sirsa pointed to marginal improvements in air quality data, saying, “Today the AQI is 360. Last year, it was around 380. The difference may not look dramatic but without the measures taken in the last few months, the situation would have been far worse."

The minister stressed that air pollution cannot be fixed overnight and cautioned against expectations of instant, visible change.

“It is not possible to suddenly buy electric vehicles for everyone, shut all industries, or completely change infrastructure. These things take time," he said, adding that “to make a visible change in just 10 months is not possible but we are still working on it."

Responding to criticism over the use of sprinklers and pollution-control data, the minister said these measures were not new and were initiated by the previous AAP government.

“Sprinklers were bought earlier. Around ₹130 crore was spent, but it was not good enough to curb pollution," Majinder Singh Sirsa told CNN-News18. He also said that AQI monitoring stations are overseen by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and that there has been no change in their design or readings.

“The AQI stations were designed and implemented earlier. There is no manipulation of data," he said.

On allegations of policy rollbacks, Majinder Singh Sirsa denied any reversal of environmental safeguards.

“There was no policy rollback. Earlier governments were minting money. There were no scrap units in Delhi," he said.

Delhi’s air quality remained firmly in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ categories. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall Air Quality Index stood at 378 at around 8 am on Tuesday, categorised as ‘very poor’. This marked a marginal improvement from Monday evening, when the AQI had touched 427, falling in the ‘severe’ category.

Several areas continued to record alarming pollution levels. India Gate reported an AQI of around 380, while Sarai Kale Khan stood at approximately 359, both in the ‘very poor’ category. Ghazipur and Anand Vihar recorded AQI levels of about 410, classified as ‘severe’. Visuals from Anand Vihar showed a thick blanket of toxic smog engulfing the area, with visibility sharply reduced.

The persistent pollution has also impacted transport. The Indira Gandhi International Airport issued a fog advisory early Tuesday, warning passengers of possible disruptions due to reduced visibility.

“Flight operations are steadily recovering, but disruptions may persist for certain departures and arrivals," Delhi Airport said in a post on X, advising travellers to check with airlines for updates.

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