Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over what he described as a lack of urgency from the government regarding Delhi’s escalating air pollution crisis. Calling it a “health emergency”, Gandhi demanded a detailed discussion in Parliament and a strict action plan to tackle the hazardous air quality impacting millions in the NCR.
“Every mother I meet tells me the same thing: her child is growing up breathing toxic air. They are exhausted, scared and angry. Modi ji, India’s children are choking in front of us. How can you stay silent? Why does your government show no urgency, no plan, no accountability?” Gandhi wrote in a post on X.
Rahul speaks to mothers
He also shared a video featuring his interaction with concerned mothers who spoke about the health struggles their children face, from persistent coughs to breathing difficulties, amid the sharp deterioration in air quality.
Reiterating his demand in Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition said the government must present a transparent roadmap with enforceable steps instead of offering “excuses and distractions”. “Our children deserve clean air — not excuses and distractions,” Gandhi said, asking the government to acknowledge the crisis and take immediate measures backed by science and accountability.
AQI remains ‘very poor’ for 14 days
Delhi’s residents woke up to toxic skies yet again on Friday, with the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 384 in the ‘very poor’ category. Several stations breached the 400 mark, pushing them into the ‘severe’ category, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
Key hotspots reporting severe air quality included Anand Vihar (411), Bawana (414), Chandni Chowk (407), Narela (407), JLN Stadium (401), Burari (402), Ashok Vihar (417) and Aya Nagar (402). Other major locations such as ITO, IGI Airport and Najafgarh also recorded dangerously high pollution levels.
This marks the 14th consecutive day of “very poor” air in the capital and surrounding regions. Forecasts from the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi suggest that pollution levels are likely to persist through the upcoming week.