NGT pulls up AAP government over toxic air pollution in Delhi

New Delhi, December 4: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) cracked the whip on the Delhi government for failing to execute an action plan to curb air pollution. The tribunal also lambasted the authorities concerned for holding the India-Sri Lanka cricket match despite bad air quality.

The Delhi government said that as the chief secretary and environment secretary have been recently changed, it needed time to file the action plan on pollution. The court, however, asked the Kejriwal government to submit its report by Wednesday and fixed December 6 as the next date for hearing in the matter.

However, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan are the three northern states that have filed their action plans so far with the tribunal.

Delhi's pollution menace is now affecting the 3rd Test match between India and Sri Lanka, as the visitors were spotted wearing face masks during the play. Lankan Skipper Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal and Lakash Sadakanan were spotted wearing masks on the field.

Although pacer Lahiru Gamage approached umpires to halt the game, however, the game resumed after the discussion lasted for 15 minutes.

Also, Sri Lankan coach Nic Pothas stated that the visitors were vomiting in their dressing room due to air pollution during the Delhi Test. "There were oxygen things in the dressing room. It is not normal for players to suffer in that way while playing the game," he added.

Meanwhile, India's bowling coach B Arun said that the conditions were same for both the teams, but India wasn't bothered.