Delhi smog tower locked out by staff over salary delays, AAP criticises Centre's mismanagement

Delhi is currently dealing with persistent haze, and to worsen the situation, the smog tower in Connaught Place is not working. This tower, inaugurated by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in 2021, has been shut down by the personnel responsible for its operations. They claim the reason for this is that they haven't been paid their December 2023 salaries, and the Delhi government hasn't provided a written job guarantee.

Smog tower was made operational in November last year after the Supreme Court directed the government to repair it and make it operational. The operations of the smog tower were handled by a 13-member team from Vibgyour Consulting, a private organisation.

Expressing concern, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said that a few officials who act independently hold too much power, and they aren't following orders because they believe no action will be taken against them.


Speaking on the matter, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said that the officials are following the orders of ministers because they are aware of inactions against him as "powers have been given to a few officials."

"Today all powers have been given to a few officials and now they are working as per their wish. First, they closed the smog tower but when the court scolded them, the smog tower was made operational. Now, I don't know under what circumstances it has been closed. Officials are not following the orders of ministers because they know that no action will be taken against them," Bhardwaj said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

The Delhi minister further alleged that the smog towers have been locked 'deliberately' by the central government.

"I think this mismanagement is being deliberately spread by the central government," Bhardwaj added.

Inputs from ANI