Is Rahul Gandhi Right About Rising Pollution in Delhi-NCR?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Delhi-NCR's air quality is severely poor.
- Rahul Gandhi is advocating for immediate action.
- Women express concerns about children's health.
- Government response to pollution levels is under scrutiny.
- Pollution has significant long-term effects.
New Delhi, Nov 28 (NationPress) As the air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to worsen, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expressed grave concerns on Friday, stating that India’s children are suffering due to hazardous air and questioned the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inaction regarding this critical issue.
In a post on ‘X’, LoP Gandhi remarked, “Every mother I engage with shares the same distressing narrative: Her child is growing up amidst toxic air. They are fatigued, frightened, and furious.”
He further urged, “Modi ji, India’s children are choking right before our eyes. How do you remain silent? Why is there no sense of urgency, no strategic plan, no accountability from your government?”
He emphasized the need for an immediate and comprehensive debate in Parliament on air pollution and a strict, actionable framework to address this health crisis. “Our children deserve clean air — not mere excuses and diversions,” he remarked.
LoP Gandhi also released a video showing him interacting with women who voiced their serious worries regarding the escalating pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. The women discussed the detrimental effects of polluted air on their children, indicating that their health deteriorates day by day.
They cautioned that neglecting this matter now could lead to long-lasting health and economic repercussions for the nation. The women questioned why the government has not issued adequate health advisories or implemented urgent preventive measures.
In response, Rahul Gandhi stated that pollution persists because various stakeholders benefit from the current situation and resist meaningful changes.
Meanwhile, Delhi experienced yet another day of hazardous air on Friday, registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 385, categorizing it as “very poor.” The air quality across Delhi-NCR remains perilous, providing little relief to residents already grappling with a cold wave.
The rise in pollution levels occurred shortly after authorities lifted the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-III restrictions, which are designed to combat severe pollution levels. However, relief was fleeting, as air quality rapidly declined again. On Thursday, the city’s overall AQI surged to 377, up from 327 the previous day, indicating a notable drop in air quality within a mere 24 hours.
Despite the deteriorating circumstances, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has stated that Stage-III restrictions will only be reinstated if the AQI exceeds 400, which falls under the “severe” category. Until then, authorities plan to keep monitoring the situation without reintroducing stricter measures.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), pollution levels steadily increased throughout the day on Thursday due to persistently low wind speeds. The AQI, which was recorded at 351 at 8 am, escalated to 381 by 7 pm, demonstrating ongoing pollutant accumulation in the area.