New Delhi: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday expressed serious concern over Delhi’s worsening air pollution, acknowledging that the transport sector alone accounts for nearly 40 per cent of total emissions in the national capital.
Speaking at the launch of the book My Idea of Nation First – Redefining Unalloyed Nationalism by Uday Mahurkar, Gadkari said prolonged exposure to Delhi’s polluted air affects his health. He remarked that staying in the capital for even two days leads to infections, underlining the gravity of the air quality crisis.
Questioning the broader understanding of nationalism, the minister said true nationalism lies in reducing imports and strengthening domestic capabilities. He pointed out that India spends nearly ₹22 lakh crore every year on importing fossil fuels, which not only burdens the economy but also worsens environmental pollution.
“What kind of nationalism is this if we are spending such a huge amount on fossil fuels and polluting our own country?” Gadkari asked, stressing the urgent need for self-reliance in alternative and biofuels. He called for a decisive shift towards cleaner energy solutions to reduce emissions and dependence on imports.
Meanwhile, Delhi continued to reel under a thick blanket of toxic smog on Wednesday, with several areas reporting alarming air quality levels. Visuals from the ITO area showed dense haze as pollution levels remained high across the city.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented all measures under GRAP Stage-IV in Delhi-NCR as pollution worsened. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index at ITO stood at 374, falling in the ‘very poor’ category.
The opposition has stepped up pressure on the government, demanding a detailed discussion on air pollution in Parliament. Leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have urged the Centre to treat the issue with greater urgency.
However, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that while the government was open to a discussion on pollution, proceedings were disrupted due to repeated protests by Congress and other opposition parties during the passage of the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Bill.
