Air pollution crisis in India: Rahul Gandhi warns millions at risk
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has 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.”
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking during Zero Hour today, Leader of the Opposition highlighted that older citizens were already “struggling to breathe” as major cities lay “under a blanket of poisonous air”. Rahul Gandhi stressed that the crisis required collaborative action rather than political confrontation.
“This is 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 urged a “methodical, systematic plan for each city” to be implemented over the next five to ten years to improve public health and quality of life.
Indian capital, Delhi, has witnessed renewed protests as air pollution levels worsen. A LocalCircles October survey indicates that three out of every four households in Delhi are experiencing health problems, from sore throat, cough, and burning eyes to headaches and disturbed sleep. 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.
