Union minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that the government is prepared to hold a detailed discussion in the Lok Sabha on India’s worsening air pollution crisis. His statement came as Delhi recorded another day of dense smog, with the city’s air quality remaining in the ‘very poor’ category.
Rijiju noted that the government is open to incorporating suggestions from all members of Parliament, including those from the Opposition led by Rahul Gandhi, to find solutions to the growing pollution problem.
“From day one, the government has made it clear that we are ready to discuss all important matters and work toward solutions, taking suggestions from all members, including the principal Opposition,” he said during Zero Hour.
He added that Congress MPs had also raised the matter in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC). The panel will now examine the appropriate time allocation for a full discussion under parliamentary rules and procedures.
Delhi’s air quality turns toxic
The consensus in Parliament emerged on a day when Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 332, firmly in the ‘very poor’ range, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
While 30 monitoring stations recorded ‘very poor’ air, Jahangirpuri registered an AQI of 405, placing it in the ‘severe’ category.
According to CPCB standards:
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0–50: Good
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51–100: Satisfactory
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101–200: Moderate
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201–300: Poor
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301–400: Very Poor
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401–500: Severe
Forecasts show little improvement. The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) predicts that the city will remain in the ‘very poor’ category at least until Saturday, with no major relief expected in the following week.
Weather conditions also worsened pollution levels. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a minimum temperature of 8°C, slightly below normal, with 100% relative humidity. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 25°C.
Rahul Gandhi calls for a non-partisan approach
Earlier in the day, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi urged Parliament to take a cooperative and forward-looking approach to address air pollution.
“Most of our major cities are living under a blanket of poisonous air. Millions of children are developing lung diseases. People are getting cancer. Older people are struggling to breathe,” he said, highlighting the urgency of the crisis.
Gandhi stressed that air pollution is a non-ideological issue, stating that both the government and the Opposition have a shared responsibility to protect public health.
He urged MPs to focus on building a clear, systematic plan instead of engaging in political accusations.
“The discussion should be about what we are going to do for the people of India in the future,” he said.
According to him, a thorough and collaborative debate could help Prime Minister Narendra Modi eventually form a methodical and long-term plan for each polluted city over the next five to ten years.
