Union Minister Vijay Goel slams AAP government, leads bicycle rally against high pollution in Delhi

Union minister Vijay Goel on Thursday led a cycle rally against pollution in the national capital, saying it is high time that all stakeholders unite against the "inaction" of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in improving air quality.

A WHO report data released on Wednesday listed Delhi among the 14 Indian cities in a list of 20 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM 2.5 levels in 2016.

"Inaction of Kejriwal has turned Delhi into a toxic capital. It has failed on all fronts and left Delhiites choking," Goel said in a statement.

Goel claimed that the lack of public transport facilities, overcrowding in Metro trains and absence of measures to curb contributing factors were the reasons behind the high level of air pollution in Delhi.

The minister said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should end his politics of "blame game" and save Delhi from the crisis.

"The government didn't act in time and pushed the city to the brink," he alleged.

It was high time that a public movement was initiated to ensure steps to check the high level of pollution, Goel said, inviting RWAs, non profit groups, traders, students and other sections to join it.

The cycle rally was also joined by Union minister Satyapal Singh, fashion designer Rina Dhaka, poet Surender Sharma and scores of social activists and volunteers.