New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed concerns over the ongoing surge in Air Quality Index (AQI) in North India and observed that it will take a decisive action from companies, governments, citizens and experts to clean up the air.
Taking to X on Friday, he wrote, “The cloud of pollution covers hundreds of kilometres. Cleaning it up will need major changes and decisive action – from governments, companies, experts, and citizens. We need a collective national response, not political blame games.”
Rahul Gandhi expresses concerns over health of children, elderly
While calling it a national emergency, the former Congress President expressed concerns over the health of children and the elderly due to the air pollution and added that same is also leading to ‘economic disaster’ which is ruining the lives of the people.
“The poorest among us suffer the most, unable to escape the toxic air that surrounds them. Families are gasping for clean air, children are falling sick, and millions of lives are being cut short. Tourism is declining and our global reputation is crumbling. Rahul Gandhi added further.
Air pollution in North India is a national emergency—a public health crisis that is stealing our children’s future and suffocating the elderly, and an environmental and economic disaster that is ruining countless lives.
The poorest among us suffer the most, unable to escape the… pic.twitter.com/s5qx79E2xc
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 22, 2024
Pointing out that with the Parliament meeting in the next few, he observed that it was the duty of lawmakers to come together and discuss how to end the crisis and “end it once and for all”. The Winter Session of Parliament will begin on November 25 and will continue till December 20.
Supreme Court slams Delhi Government
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court on Friday questioned the Delhi government over the entry of trucks into the city, which is reeling under severe air pollution and with GRAP IV in place. During the hearing, the court says it is proposing to direct the Centre to depute police personnel at all 113 checkpoints at entry to check the entries of trucks in the national capital.
