Delhi will become one of India’s most liveable cities in 2.5 years: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Delhi Manoj Tiwari on Saturday said the Capital will emerge as one of the most liveable cities in the country within the next two-and-a-half years, particularly in terms of air quality. He credited the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government for taking sustained steps over the past 10 months to curb pollution levels after the BJP returned to power in the February 2025 Assembly elections.
Speaking to mediapersons, Mr. Tiwari said the work done by the current government in less than a year had surpassed what the previous dispensation achieved over five years. “The BJP has not even completed one year in office. From day one, we have been working to reduce pollution. We are not claiming massive achievements yet, but the double-engine government is bringing Delhi back on track,” he said.
Mr. Tiwari, who revealed he is an asthma patient, shared personal experience to underline the severity of Delhi’s pollution problem. “Earlier, I used to stay outside Delhi for nearly one-and-a-half months every year because my health would deteriorate badly. During the previous government’s tenure, pollution kept rising. In the first year itself, we have managed to bring pollution levels down,” he claimed.
Air quality remains a concern
Mr. Tiwari’s remarks come at a time when Delhi’s air quality continues to remain in the “poor” category and is expected to worsen in the coming days. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 267 at 4 p.m. on Saturday, up from 236 recorded a day earlier.
The Centre’s Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has forecast that air quality is likely to deteriorate to the “very poor” category between January 4 and January 6, with similar conditions expected to persist for at least six days.
As per official classification, an AQI between 201 and 300 is considered “poor”, while 301 to 400 falls under “very poor”. Levels beyond 400 are classified as “severe” or “severe plus”, posing serious health risks.
Fog and cold wave add to challenges
Compounding the pollution problem, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted moderate to dense fog over Delhi in the coming days. The weather department has issued a yellow alert for dense fog on Sunday and warned that cold wave conditions are likely to affect isolated parts of the city from January 4 to January 7.
Experts say winter meteorological conditions, including low wind speed and temperature inversion, often trap pollutants close to the ground, worsening air quality during this period.
Government’s long-term pitch
The BJP leadership has repeatedly emphasised a long-term approach to tackling pollution, including improved public transport, cleaner fuels, stricter enforcement against polluting activities and coordination between the Centre and the Delhi government. Mr. Tiwari said the current administration is focused on systemic solutions rather than temporary measures.
While officials maintain that sustained efforts will yield visible results over time, environmentalists caution that measurable improvement will require consistent implementation, transparency and cooperation across agencies.
Our Final Thoughts
The Delhi government’s claim of transforming the Capital into one of India’s most liveable cities within 2.5 years sets a high benchmark, especially against the backdrop of persistent air quality challenges. While early measures and political intent are important, sustained improvement will depend on long-term policy execution, regional coordination and public participation. With pollution levels still hovering in the “poor” to “very poor” range and winter conditions worsening air quality, the real test lies ahead. Delivering cleaner air will require consistent action beyond seasonal interventions. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the promises translate into measurable and lasting change for Delhi’s residents.