Delhi AQI: Rahul Gandhi calls air pollution ‘national emergency’ and says MPs must act

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called air pollution in northern India a “national emergency” and urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to prioritize the crisis during the upcoming parliamentary session.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi talked about the serious public health and environmental consequences of worsening air quality and highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities.

“Air pollution in northern India is a national emergency; a public health crisis that robs our children of their futures, suffocates the elderly, and an environmental and economic disaster that has devastated countless lives. Those among us who suffer the most, those who cannot escape the epidemic, suffer the most from the toxic air that surrounds them.” ” wrote Rahul Gandhi.

“Families are suffering from a shortage of clean air, children are falling ill, millions of lives are being cut short. Tourism is in decline and our global reputation is collapsing,” he added.

His strong words come at a time when northern India, and particularly the national capital Delhi, is grappling with a severe air pollution crisis.

Delhi, currently India’s most polluted cityAccording to Respirer Living Sciences’ Air Quality Analysis Report, the average PM2.5 level was recorded as 243.3 µg/m³ at the beginning of November. The report analyzed data from 281 cities and noted that pollution levels in Delhi increased by 19.5 per cent on a weekly basis, increasing health risks from fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

The report highlighted the role of vehicle emissions, industrial activities and stubble burning in worsening pollution levels, especially in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. These factors, combined with colder winter temperatures, reduced wind speeds, and temperature changes, cause pollutants to become trapped closer to the ground, making the air hazardous.

Air Quality Index (AQI) It fluctuates between the “serious” and “severe plus” categories, with readings exceeding 450 in Delhi earlier this week. Phased Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV) measures were implemented in response to the crisis, but improvements in air quality remained limited.

Rahul Gandhi emphasized the need for a united response.

“To clean this up, major changes and decisive action will be needed from governments, companies, experts and citizens. We need a collective national response, not political blame games. When Parliament meets in a few days, MPs will all be reminded of the crisis by our irritated eyes and sore throats. One “It is our responsibility to come together and discuss how India can end this crisis for good.”

(With inputs from PTI.)