BJP MP Manoj Tiwari Distributes Masks As Delhi AQI Reaches 500, Punjab Reports Highest Stubble Burning Cases On Single Day

Delhi's air quality continued to worsen on Tuesday (19 November), with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a severe 492 at 7 am. Out of 38 air quality monitoring stations, 21 reported AQI levels of 490 or higher.

Key locations such as Alipur, Anand Vihar, Bawana, Narela, Pusa, and Sonia Vihar recorded the maximum AQI level of 500, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert, warning of moderate-to-dense fog in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). At 7 am, visibility at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport stood at 600 meters.

On Monday, the Supreme Court reinforced Stage 4 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), directing NCR states to strictly enforce these measures.

The court ordered immediate formation of monitoring teams to oversee compliance and urged states to consider suspending physical classes in schools due to health risks posed by the pollution.

The citizens have been advised to limit outdoor activities and reduce exposure, wear N95 masks when stepping out, minimise vehicle use to cut emissions and practice responsible waste disposal to avoid burning.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from North-East Delhi Manoj Tiwari took himself to distribute the masks. He was seen doing so at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station.

Tiwari accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Arvind Kejriwal of 'imposing emergency' and alleged that a normal Delhite is forced to breathe the smoke of hundreds of cigarettes in a day.

"I think we all need to wake up now. We are trying to create awareness of wearing masks but there needs to be a concrete solution which only BJP can give," he said targeting Punjab's stubble burning.

"I request everyone to wear masks for the coming month and in future give a chance to the BJP so that we can keep Delhi away from using masks," Tiwari said as the Delhi assembly elections are scheduled early next year.

Chairman of Punjab Pollution Control Board Dr Adarsh Pal Vig said that the total cases of stubble burning till 18 November has reached 9,655, up from 7,000 in November last year. However, he claimed a 75 per cent decline in the total number of cases.

"It is very unfortunate. Yesterday, we received 1,251 cases of stubble burning in a single day, which is the highest since 15 September. We have seen variations in the number of cases," he said.