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Government Backs Lok Sabha Debate On Air Pollution As Delhi AQI Stays 'Very Poor'

The government signalled readiness to schedule a discussion in response to Rahul Gandhi’s call for a cooperative, city‑wise plan to curb toxic air.

Overview

  • Rahul Gandhi urged a non‑partisan debate and time‑bound, city‑specific action plans, citing widespread health harms across major cities.
  • Kiren Rijiju said the Centre is ready for a discussion and indicated the Business Advisory Committee will decide the schedule.
  • Delhi’s AQI hovered around 332–349 in the ‘very poor’ band, with hotspots such as Jahangirpuri touching 405–432 in the ‘severe’ zone, CPCB data showed.
  • A Parliamentary Standing Committee pressed for upgrading manual monitors to continuous systems, correcting skewed station siting, and updating India’s 2009 air‑quality standards.
  • CAQM formed a 15‑member panel on vehicular emissions chaired by Ashok Jhunjhunwala with Randeep Guleria as co‑chair, even as official claims of multi‑year AQI improvement drew scrutiny over data quality.