Raghav Chadha urges action on Delhi air pollution, "focus on AQI, not AI"

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha brought attention to Delhi's worsening air pollution during a session of the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, urging policymakers to prioritise tackling the Air Quality Index (AQI) over discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In a pointed wordplay, Chadha remarked, “We talk about AI, but if we truly want to address pollution, we must focus on AQI.” His comments come amidst the Centre’s focus on AI for combating digital fraud, contrasting sharply with the immediate crisis of toxic air in the national capital.

Highlighting findings from an IIT study, Chadha argued that farmers are compelled to burn stubble due to a lack of viable alternatives and should not bear the blame for Delhi's hazardous air quality. He called on both the central and state governments to provide financial support, proposing that farmers be paid Rs 2,500 per acre to invest in eco-friendly equipment like paddy choppers or happy seeders.

“The Centre could contribute Rs 2,000 per acre, with Rs 500 from the Punjab government as a short-term solution,” Chadha suggested, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to reduce stubble burning.

Delhi’s air quality has plunged to alarming levels this season, with some areas reporting AQI readings of 500, placing them in the ‘severe plus’ category. The toxic smog has enveloped the city for weeks, reducing visibility and disrupting daily activities. In response, the Delhi government activated GRAP-4, the most stringent level of anti-pollution measures, resulting in the closure of schools, colleges, and construction sites.

As of Tuesday, SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) recorded Delhi's AQI at 272, categorizing it as ‘poor.’ However, eight of the city’s 37 monitoring stations reported AQI levels in the ‘very poor’ range, between 300 and 400.