Though several CPCB reports have confirmed that Delhi's air quality is indeed very poor, environmentalists said they were appalled that Javadekar seems to be oblivious of the government's own findings. Instead, he was critical of a certain embassy's air pollution monitoring. The minister had recently launched 'Fresh air is my birthright' campaign.

"It's an effort to corner not just NGOs but all voices of dissent. They think anybody who raises environmental issues is a hurdle in the way of development," said Dr Sanjay Kulshreshtha, an Agra-based paediatric surgeon who has filed an application in NGT against air pollution which draws attention to the impact of polluted air on unborn foetuses and newborn babies. "They are now trying to say there is no air pollution problem in India, which means all international and national agencies like WHO and CPCB are giving incorrect information? Why did the ministry launch the 'Fresh air is my birthright' campaign if there is no air pollution problem? I also think the government is trying to corner NGT which is pushing for action."

A new study by prominent economists and public policy experts from Yale and Harvard University had concluded that as many as 660 million people, or half of India's population, could add 3.2 years to their lifespan if air quality met the national safe standard. Last year, the World Health Organisation's urban air quality database found Delhi had the highest PM 2.5 (fine, respirable pollution particles) levels among 1600 global cities, which also cited that the data for the analysis was taken from CPCB.

"I don't want to say anything about his comments because the truth is obvious. We have annexed a CPCB report from 2012 which says that air pollution is increasing. The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has been raising the issue for years. There is a case in the Supreme Court against air pollution being heard since the 80's. Government's own data says air quality is poor in Delhi. So why debate," asked Vardhaman Kaushik, who also has an application in NGT against high air pollution in Delhi.

In his matter, NGT had recently directed that all diesel vehicles that are more than 10 years old and all petrol vehicles that are more than 10 years old be banned. The tribunal has now stayed its own order, pending responses from the Centre and states on the ban, on capping the total number of vehicle registrations, on hiking parking fee and many other interventions.

Vivek Chattopadhyay of CSE's clean air campaign pointed out that the issue of high air pollution has been in news since Commonwealth Games when there was scrutiny of air quality because athletes and important sports people were coming from all over the world. "I think the minister's idea that raising the air pollution issue will stall development is absolutely misplaced. Our GDP is actually getting affected by the huge health cost of air pollution. Denying the problem will not solve," he said.

The head of EPCA, Bhure Lal, too recalled that time and again agencies have said dieselization has to reduce. "Look at how diesel cars have increased. More than 50% cars now run on diesel. There are studies to show that pollution from diesel vehicles is a hundred times higher and diesel trucks continue to pollute. People have to forgo their habit of using diesel vehicles. I think it's the diesel lobby that's stalling any action. The eastern and western expressways also haven't been completed," he said.

Bhure Lal said he agreed that "vested interests" such as air purifier companies were also at play.