Delhi pollution crisis: Priyanka Gandhi calls situation ‘shameful’, says 22 lakh children suffering

Delhi’s air quality deteriorated on Monday morning, slipping deeper into the “poor” category even as several neighbourhoods recorded “very poor” levels. The spike renewed political attention on the national capital’s pollution crisis, with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra calling the situation “shameful” and urging both the Centre and the Delhi government to act immediately.

Speaking to reporters, Priyanka said the issue required cooperation rather than political point-scoring.

Advertisement

“I feel this is a shameful situation. This is the capital city of our country. Let us set aside our political differences and take some strong steps. How can we do this to our children? There are 22 lakh children today who have permanent damage to their lungs, according to a study,” she said.

She added that hospitals were reporting high numbers of patients with respiratory distress.

“Old people…people with asthma and other respiratory issues are suffering. Hospitals are full of people with respiratory issues. How can we sit and do nothing about it?… We are here to support the government if they do it. The central government and state government must take immediate action.”

AQI at 299; several Delhi stations record ‘very poor’ air

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 299 at 7 a.m., up from 279 on Sunday evening.

The national capital has now reported “poor” air quality for two consecutive days, after briefly improving from the “very poor” category.

As of Monday morning:

• Nehru Nagar recorded 354 (very poor)
• Rohini, Bawana, RK Puram, Mundka and Punjabi Bagh were also in the “very poor” range
• NSIT Dwarka (195) reported the best air quality in the city. But it still fell under the “moderate” category.
• Other stations like Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, Vivek Vihar and Pusa remained “very poor”

Delhi’s AQI between January and November 2025 averaged 187, its best in eight years, excluding 2020 (the lockdown year), according to CPCB.

Road dust still a major polluter, says CAQM

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said on Sunday that road dust remains a major contributor to particulate pollution in Delhi, based on a special inspection operation covering 321 stretches across agencies.

Its “Operation Clean Air” squads found:

• 35 stretches with high visible dust (all under MCD)
• 61 with moderate dust
• 94 with low dust
• 131 with no visible dust

NDMC showed far better outcomes, with no high-dust stretches. CPWD’s network also reported no high-dust roads.

The commission said agencies, especially MCD, must strengthen mechanical sweeping, enforce dust-control norms and improve road maintenance.