Pollution a ‘PR Exercise’ for Kejriwal, claims Delhi Minister

The BJP-led Delhi Government has slammed the APP and its supremo Arvind Kejriwal for NCR pollution.Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood on Friday alleged that the issue of air pollution has consistently been used as a public relations exercise by Arvind Kejriwal to safeguard his political interests, rather than being addressed with long-term, effective solutions.Sood’s remarks came as the national capital woke up to a dense blanket of toxic fog, with air quality plunging into the ‘severe’ category in several areas. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) near the ITO area stood at 409, indicating hazardous conditions for public health.“Delhi’s pollution problem has repeatedly been turned into a PR activity by the Kejriwal government to secure its political ground. The situation on the ground, however, continues to worsen every year,” Sood said, criticising the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration for what he described as a lack of concrete action.

#WATCH | On Delhi pollution row, Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood says, "Some unemployed leaders were recently saying that Arvind Kejriwal had introduced a very scientific method. What did he introduce? Odd-even... The National Green Tribunal (NGT) reprimanded him for the odd-even… pic.twitter.com/WFKtrKagIs

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2025

The deteriorating weather conditions also disrupted air travel. IndiGo, Air India, and several other airlines issued travel advisories, warning passengers of possible delays and cancellations as low visibility affected flight operations at Delhi Airport.A thick layer of smog continued to engulf large parts of the city through the morning hours, raising concerns among residents and health experts alike. With AQI levels remaining alarmingly high, authorities have urged people to limit outdoor activities, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments.