Imagine a government performing its responsibilities so below par that even its mouthpieces can’t defend them and come up lashing the government. Ironically, in 2022, the New York Times published a report to heap praises on the AAP government for improving the quality of government schools in Delhi. Following its publication, Arvind Kejriwal along with his whole lobby danced around telling people what The New York Times reported.
Well, The New York Times backing Arvind Kejriwal and AAP is not a big deal given the shining ‘Left’ cheek of the American newspaper. But what is shocking is the same newspaper getting behind the Aam Aadmi Party for their low degree of administration. This can make anyone think about what kind of work the Aam Aadmi Party’s government has been doing in Delhi for so long that even its biggest of friends have to turn into foes.
A recent investigative report by The New York Times has raised serious concerns over the health and environmental impact of Delhi’s Okhla waste-to-energy plant, operated by Jindal Group’s JITF Infralogistics in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Established in 2012 as an “eco-friendly” solution to manage Delhi’s waste and produce electricity, the plant processes about 2,000 tons of trash daily. However, the report states that hazardous ash from the plant is being illegally dumped near residential areas, putting over a million residents at risk of exposure to toxic pollutants like cadmium, lead, and arsenic.
During the five years of investigation, NYT collected air and soil samples from around the plant, which were tested by scientists from Johns Hopkins University and IIT-Delhi. Results showed alarmingly high levels of heavy metals—cadmium levels were found to be 19 times the permissible limit, with arsenic at 10 times and lead at four times. Prolonged exposure to these toxins can lead to serious health risks, including respiratory issues, cancer, and neurological disorders. Internal government reports corroborate these findings, noting dioxin emissions from the plant at levels up to 10 times the legal limit.
The residents residing in Delhi have also reported an increased number of cases of respiratory illnesses, skin conditions, and other problems. But still, the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government is hell-bent on neglecting safety measures, continuing its blame game on pollution, and busy advertising its so-called successes in ushering development in the National Capital.