Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Denies Stubble Burning Link to Delhi's Worsening Air Quality Crisis

Delhi experienced a thick blanket of toxic smog on Tuesday morning as air quality concerns intensified across the national capital.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has sparked controversy with his statements regarding Delhi's air pollution crisis, firmly rejecting claims that agricultural smoke from his state contributes to the deteriorating air quality in the national capital.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Mann emphasized that smoke from Punjab cannot reach Delhi due to prevailing wind patterns. He explained that for smoke to travel from Punjab to Delhi within 10 days, it would require sustained north-to-south winds at 30 kilometers per hour, conditions he claims never materialize.

The Chief Minister described the accusation as ridiculous, stating, "The smoke that travels to Delhi stays over Connaught Place! What a joke!" He instead pointed to pollution sources from neighboring Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, as well as Delhi's own local emissions.

Mann further defended his position by noting that Delhi's Air Quality Index had already reached dangerous levels of 400 before paddy harvesting operations even commenced in Punjab. He also highlighted that 99% of Punjab's rice production is exported throughout India, as rice is not a staple food for Punjab residents.

Meanwhile, Delhi continued to struggle with hazardous air conditions, recording an average AQI of 341 at 7 AM on Tuesday, placing it firmly in the "very poor" category according to Central Pollution Control Board data. This represents minimal improvement from Monday's reading of 351.

Specific monitoring stations across the capital recorded alarming levels, with Dhaula Kuan at 365, Anand Vihar at 381, Ghazipur at 345, and Akshardham also at 381 – all classified as "very poor" air quality.

The CPCB categorizes air quality in ranges: 0-50 as 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.

Escalating the political tensions, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has accused the AAP-led Punjab government of "forcing" farmers to burn crop residue despite central government incentives designed to discourage the practice. Sirsa claimed there has been a deliberate increase in burning incidents timed to worsen Delhi's air quality after Diwali celebrations.

Sirsa stated, "In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party is in power. Farmers don't want to burn stubble. They even get paid for it now, so that they don't burn it. But they're being forced to burn it." He referenced recent news reports and alleged video evidence of AAP workers claiming they were compelled to burn crop residue.

The Environment Minister noted what he called a "role reversal" by AAP leadership, recalling that former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had previously explained in detail how stubble smoke from Punjab affects Delhi's air quality. "Earlier, Kejriwal himself used to explain how stubble from Punjab causes pollution in Delhi. He even used to show charts explaining: How stubble smoke travels, the speed at which it moves, and how long it takes to reach Delhi. Now the same people are silent when they're in power."

Sirsa acknowledged that pollution sources extend beyond Punjab alone, including contributions from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh as well.