Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has openly expressed his discomfort with Delhi's worsening air pollution, revealing its significant impact on his health and reluctance to stay in the national capital. Speaking at an event in New Delhi on Tuesday, the senior BJP leader and Nagpur MP described the city's air quality as ?bhayankar? (terrible) and emphasized the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
Pollution?s Impact on Daily Life
"I often question whether or not I should travel to Delhi," Gadkari stated in Hindi, highlighting how the city's poor air quality makes him reconsider each visit. He added, "Itna bhayankar pollution hain" (the pollution is really awful). Gadkari disclosed that he needs to practice two hours of pranayama (breathing exercises) before coming to Delhi to counteract the health effects of pollution.
?I don't enjoy living here. Because of the pollution here, I become infected,? he remarked, underscoring the toll the city?s environment takes on his well-being.
Call for Alternative Energy Solutions
Beyond personal grievances, Gadkari touched upon the broader economic and environmental challenges posed by India?s dependency on fossil fuels, urging a shift towards cleaner energy alternatives. "We can reduce the import of fossil fuels by encouraging alternative fuels," he said, noting the staggering ?22 lakh crore annual expenditure on fuel imports.
Delhi's Air Quality Crisis
Gadkari's comments come amidst Delhi's ongoing air quality concerns. While a slight improvement was observed this week, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) falling to 165 ("moderate") from 178, the city's air remains a cause for alarm. This improvement prompted the Centre's air quality panel to scale down restrictions to Stage 2 under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), relaxing bans on coal and firewood use in industries.
However, the city's pollution problem remains severe. Civil society organizations have labeled it an "unprecedented environmental and public health disaster," and a petition submitted in Parliament on Thursday urged lawmakers to prioritize the issue. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicates that Delhi's AQI has consistently been in the "poor" or "very poor" categories since September, with winter months recording hazardous levels between 1,500 and 2,000.
Health and Life Expectancy at Risk
The petition also highlighted the grim health implications of pollution, citing estimates that pollution contributes to 1.7 million deaths annually in India. It also reduces life expectancy by 3.57 years nationwide and up to 12 years in Delhi.
A Call for Action
As Gadkari?s remarks draw attention to Delhi?s pollution crisis, they serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic changes. From adopting alternative fuels to enforcing stricter air quality measures, tackling Delhi?s pollution will require coordinated efforts from policymakers, industries, and civil society.
