Bad air and water are legacy problems: Rekha Gupta

Chief minister Rekha Gupta highlighted initiatives taken by her government including steps to reduce localised pollution from household burning during winters

NEW DELHI: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said the Delhi government is working round the clock to tackle air and water pollution, terming them “legacy problems” that have persisted for decades due to neglect by successive governments in the national capital.

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025 in New Delhi on Saturday. (HT Photo/Deepak Gupta)

Speaking at the 23rd Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Gupta outlined initiatives to control pollution and improve environmental health. She acknowledged that while challenges remain, the city’s pollution situation this winter has been better managed than in recent years.

“Delhi has legacy problems related to pollution. There were problems of transport, open burning, dust and other sources, all of which have been ignored by governments earlier. We have no ‘jadu ki chadi’ or magic wand with us, but we are trying our best to deal with these issues as best and as fast as we can,” she said, adding that her administration has adopted a mix of immediate and long-term measures.

Gupta said the government was addressing smaller, often overlooked emission sources that cumulatively contribute to the decline in air quality. She noted that steps are being taken to help low-income households and discourage the burning of wood, coal and other fuels for warmth.

“We have planned the distribution of 10,000 electric heaters, and we have introduced the Ujjwala Yojana for LPG cylinders in parts of Delhi. These are the little bits of burning that add to pollution. We are trying to ensure that people have clean alternatives, which will all help in bringing down pollution,” she said.

She urged citizens to take responsibility by adopting eco-friendly practices such as carpooling and using public transport.

“Imposing a lockdown is not the solution,” she said. “We must find ways to keep the city moving while ensuring emissions stay under control.”

Referring to critics of her government’s approach, Gupta defended the decision not to impose blanket bans during the festive season or on older vehicles.

“After we came to power, we allowed bursting of crackers for Diwali. There is no restriction on end-of-life vehicles that are 10-15 years old, and yet the pollution levels have not gone very high compared to previous years. This shows that we are doing something right,” Gupta added.

Addressing allegations that government agencies were sprinkling water on air quality monitoring stations to artificially reduce Air Quality Index (AQI) readings, Gupta called the claims baseless.

“It is a misconception. Water will only be sprinkled at pollution hotspots to control dust. The idea is to reduce suspended particles in the air at hotspots, not to manipulate data,” Gupta said.

She added that anti-dust operations are being conducted transparently, with water sprinkling, road washing and debris management focused on high-traffic corridors and construction zones.

On the Yamuna river, the chief minister said the government is taking structural steps to ensure untreated sewage and industrial waste do not enter the water body.

“We are setting up decentralised STPs (sewage treatment plants) at multiple locations so that only treated water reaches Yamuna,” she said.

Gupta explained that decentralised treatment would manage wastewater more efficiently, especially in unauthorised colonies and dense residential pockets where centralised drainage infrastructure is limited. She added that the government was coordinating with agencies, including the Delhi Jal Board, to ensure the river’s rejuvenation remains on track.

Responding to reports that a special enclosure with filtered water was created at Vasudev Ghat during Chhath Puja, Gupta rejected the criticism as politically motivated.

“It was fabricated by the opposition,” she said. “The enclosure also had Yamuna water, keeping in mind the safety of people. There are people who can’t go in very deep water, elderly and there’s fear of slipping. This enclosure was meant for such people.”

She added that while the opposition tried to make it an issue for the Bihar elections, the festival was celebrated with zeal in the national capital.

Concluding her address, Gupta reiterated her commitment to tackling Delhi’s chronic civic and environmental challenges.

“I have been working 24 hours in the past 10 months for the welfare of people of Delhi,” she said. “We are determined to ensure that all legacy problems, whether related to pollution, transport, or infrastructure, are resolved step by step.”

She added that Delhi resides in her heart and the people of the city are her family.