‘Itna Bhayankar Pollution Hai’: Gadkari on why Delhi’s air worries him
PTC Web Desk: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has once again drawn attention to the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR, stating that the city’s pollution adversely affects his health whenever he stays in the capital.
Addressing an audience at the release of a book, Gadkari remarked, "I live here for three days, (and) I get allergies because of this pollution."
Gadkari has earlier expressed similar concerns about Delhi’s pollution. At an event last December, he had admitted his hesitation in visiting the national capital during peak smog season, saying, "Every time, while coming to Delhi, I think whether I should go or not. Itna bhayankar pollution hai"
The senior BJP leader candidly acknowledged that the transport sector is a major contributor to the region’s pollution burden, accepting responsibility as the Union transport minister. "I am the transport minister and 40 per cent of pollution happens because of transport itself," he said.
Stressing the need for an urgent shift away from conventional fuels, Nitin Gadkari questioned the continued reliance on fossil energy despite rising pollution levels. He called for faster adoption of electric mobility, hydrogen-based transport, and cleaner fuel alternatives, arguing that these measures could substantially reduce emissions and fuel imports.
Referring to the economic impact, Gadkari said India spends around Rs 22 lakh crore every year on fossil fuel imports, underlining the need for self-reliance in cleaner energy. He also cited his ethanol-powered flex-fuel vehicle as an example of how alternative fuels can help lower pollution and reduce dependence on imported oil.
The minister’s comments came at a time when Delhi’s air quality once again slipped into the ‘severe’ category. On Tuesday, the capital recorded a 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) of 412, ranking it as the second-most polluted city in the country, while Noida topped the list with an AQI of 426. Although pollution levels eased marginally by Wednesday morning, forecasts suggest air quality is likely to remain very poor over the coming days.
- With inputs from agencies
