Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 6: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has described air pollution and the pollution of the Yamuna river as “legacy problems” caused by years of neglect and short-term policymaking by previous governments, asserting that her administration is now focused on long-term and structural solutions.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Gupta rejected criticism that measures such as the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), Odd-Even vehicle scheme, artificial rain and anti-smog guns have failed. She clarified that these steps were never meant to be permanent solutions.
“Pollution is a legacy problem resulting from the negligence of previous governments. If we look at pollution only from the perspective that the air should be clean, we will not get results,” Gupta said. “You have to work on dust, air and water together, with a holistic vision.”
Taking a swipe at the Aam Aadmi Party, Gupta alleged that earlier governments relied on short-term measures and publicity, while ignoring deeper reforms.
“Sprinklers, anti-smog guns and mist can give only short-term relief. The real work should have been done on dust mitigation, public transport and long-term planning,” she said.
Identifying vehicular emissions, road dust and waste mismanagement as the major contributors to Delhi’s air pollution, Gupta said the capital often remains in the ‘severe’ category during winter due to years of inadequate planning. While vehicle emissions are frequently cited as a major cause, she said public transport was never expanded to the required scale.
Outlining her government’s roadmap, Gupta said Delhi’s public transport system is being steadily transitioned towards zero emissions. “When we came, we planned that public transport should be 100 per cent electric and on clean fuel,” she said.
Delhi currently has around 3,600 buses. “We added 1,700 buses after coming to power, and by December 2026, this will reach 7,700. Our requirement is 11,000 buses, which we will complete by 2028,” she added.
She also said funds have been sanctioned for Metro expansion, improved last-mile connectivity through EV autos, e-bikes and cycles near Metro stations, and stricter action against unfit and polluting vehicles.
“The government has to make a 360-degree movement. Work has to be done on every single aspect,” Gupta said.
On dust pollution, the chief minister pointed to reforms in road construction and maintenance. “Earlier, one department would build a road and another would dig it again. This was the work culture of Delhi,” she said, adding that ducting and accountability are now being enforced by bringing PWD and MCD engineers together to standardise procedures.
Gupta also linked Delhi’s garbage mountains directly to air pollution, claiming visible reductions at landfill sites are the result of policy-driven, time-bound action.
“Delhi generates about 11,000 metric tonnes of garbage daily. Earlier, it was never processed, and that is why mountains of garbage were formed,” she said, accusing the Opposition of merely shifting waste from one location to another.
She expressed confidence that legacy waste at the Okhla and Bhalswa landfill sites will be cleared by 2026, though work at Ghazipur may take longer. “These results are not without policy and dedication,” she said.
Turning to the Yamuna river, Gupta said untreated sewage, cattle dung and industrial waste flowing directly into drains had severely polluted the river over the years.
“Friends, drains were falling straight into Yamuna ji. Sewage treatment plants were not upgraded. These conditions were spoiled over years,” she said.
Gupta said her government has upgraded 37 old sewage treatment plants and initiated large-scale de-silting of drains across the city. “As soon as we came, we started de-silting work. New machines from Finland are being used at places like Najafgarh, Barapullah and Sunheri Pullah,” she added.
She also highlighted steps to process cattle dung through biogas plants. “For so many years, did anyone think of setting up biogas plants? Thousands of tonnes of dung went into drains and then into Yamuna ji,” she said, noting that the first plant processing 600 tonnes has been started, with more in the pipeline.
Responding to criticism over the pace of cleaning the Yamuna, Gupta said results cannot come overnight. “People ask, ‘When will Yamuna be clean?’ These are conditions spoiled over years,” she said, adding that the steps taken are time-bound and their impact will become visible gradually.
Reiterating her government’s approach, Gupta said, “The government will do its bit, the public will also have to do its bit. Together, we will be able to get better air and cleaner water for Delhi.”