Delhi Cong recalls Dikshit's policies as air turns 'severe'

New Delhi, As the national capital's air quality on Thursday turned to the 'severe' category, the Delhi Congress recalled late Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and her policies and blamed the Arvind Kejriwal government of diverting the issues.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR), Delhi's overall air quality index (AQI) was at 407, which falls into the 'severe' category.

The Delhi Congress, in a tweet, said under Dikshit's rule a campaign was launched, which improved the green cover of the city and helped in controlling pollution.

"The 'My Delhi, Green Delhi' campaign, started by the Congress under Dikshit's leadership, had improved the green cover and reduced pollution. But during the Kejriwal government, millions of trees were cut and today Delhi has serious air pollution problems," the Congress said.

Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra flayed the Kejriwal government for diverting the attention and blaming other states for pollution.

"The pollution levels in Delhi are continuously increasing. The Kejriwal government is avoiding the issue by diverting attention to stable burning every time. Only 4 per cent pollution is from stubble burning, while 30 per cent of air pollution is from industries, 28 per cent from transport and 17 per cent from dust. Another 17 per cent is from other sources and 11 per cent is from residential," Chopra said.

Sheila Dikshit was Delhi Chief Minister for three terms between 1998 and 2013.