Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday urged the Lok Sabha to hold a detailed discussion on the worsening air pollution crisis in major Indian cities, warning that “millions of children are getting lung diseases, their future is being destroyed, and people are getting cancer.”
During Zero Hour, Gandhi said the issue could be framed “in an interesting way where the Opposition and the government do not trade abuses, but work together to find a solution.”
He warned that older citizens were already “struggling to breathe” as major cities lay “under a blanket of poisonous air,” and stressed that the crisis required collaborative action rather than political confrontation.
Stressing that this was not an ideological matter, Gandhi said, “I am certain there would be full agreement between the government and us on this… we should co-operate on the damage air pollution is doing to our people.”
He called on the Prime Minister to formulate a “methodical, systematic plan for each city, one that can, over the next 5 or 10 years, make life easier for our people,” adding that the Opposition was “more than happy to co-operate with the government” in developing such a roadmap.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was ready for a discussion on the issue and the Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha can allot time for the same.
Delhi has witnessed renewed protests as air pollution levels worsen.
A LocalCircles October survey indicates that three out of every four households in Delhi-NCR are experiencing health problems, from sore throat, cough, and burning eyes to headaches and disturbed sleep.
Many residents say they are taking precautions to cope with the toxic air: 44% reported reducing outdoor exposure and consuming immunity-boosting foods and drinks, while nearly one-third have consulted or plan to consult doctors for pollution-related ailments.
Health experts warn that current PM2.5 levels are 24 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit, posing serious risks to children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiac conditions.
Despite repeated court directives and government advisories, Delhi-NCR continues to grapple with its yearly smog crisis, driven by firecracker use, stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and stagnant winter weather.
Environmental activists have renewed calls for urgent and long-term interventions, including tighter industrial regulation, stricter vehicular pollution controls, and stronger enforcement of firecracker bans, to address what has become a predictable public health emergency each winter.
Earlier, speaking to Maktoob, a woman visiting Delhi said her right to live felt “threatened” every time she came to the city.
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