New Delhi: Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday slammed the central government for failing to curb the deteriorating air pollution crisis in the country. He called to make an urgent policy reform. His remarks came after a recent report unveiled by the 2024 World Air Quality by Swiss air technology company IQAir. The organization declared India as the fifth most polluted country and Delhi as one of the most polluted capitals in the world. The report revealed that 74 Indian cities are the most polluted among the world’s 100.
Ramesh accused the government of being in “denial mode” regarding air pollution-related deaths. He cited a Rajya Sabha response on July 29, 2024, in which the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change reportedly claimed there was “no conclusive data” linking air pollution to deaths.
The Congress leader criticized the government’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). He said that NCAP’s main focus is on controlling road dust while overlooking other major sources of PM2.5 pollution, like vehicular and industrial emissions and fuel burning. He stressed that these sources are responsible for the huge pollution-related deaths across the country.
Ramesh suggested that the government should take several steps for curbing air pollution, such as changing the Air Pollution (Control and Prevention) Act of 1981 to overcome the ongoing pollution challenges. The time has come to update National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to reflect modern pollution realities. It is essential to increase funds for air control programmes. Special attention should be given to reducing industrial vehicular and biomass emissions.
The air pollution levels are worsening in the country. Therefore, experts and politicians are raising their voices for stronger policies and urgent action to protect public health.
