Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has labeled the severe air pollution in North India as a “national emergency,” calling for urgent intervention. In a post on X, Gandhi stressed the devastating health and economic consequences of the ongoing crisis, which is affecting millions, particularly the poor. He also pointed out that the pollution is contributing to rising health disparities and impacting India’s global image.
Gandhi’s statement followed a discussion with environmentalist Vimlendu Jha, who emphasized the role of stubble burning and long-term lifestyle changes in worsening Delhi-NCR’s air quality. With the Winter Session of Parliament approaching, Gandhi urged MPs to focus on this pressing issue, suggesting that addressing pollution should be prioritized over political blame games. He also called for a unified, national response involving governments, industries, and citizens.
On the ground, Delhi faced alarming air quality levels, with the Central Pollution Control Board reporting an AQI of 371, marking conditions as “very poor.” Specific areas like Anand Vihar and Bawana saw even worse conditions, with AQI levels in the “severe” category. The Supreme Court also acknowledged the impact of pollution, hinting at a review of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) restrictions in the coming days.
The conversation on air pollution has become critical, with experts like Jha stressing that a comprehensive solution will require long-term strategies to curb emissions from industries and vehicles. Gandhi’s call for collective action seeks to spark a broader national conversation about how to combat this growing environmental crisis.
