'Choking the Capital': Jairam Ramesh Slams Centre Over PM2.5 Pollution
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh warns that PM2.5 pollution in Delhi and North India is choking the region and demands stricter safety standards.
As a thick blanket of smog continues to grip the national capital, Congress leader and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh has issued a stern warning to the Central Government. He asserted that the PM2.5 pollution in Delhi and other regions of North India must be addressed with far greater urgency and seriousness to prevent a public health catastrophe.
The 'Real Killer': PM2.5 vs PM10
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh highlighted a critical flaw in the current approach to air quality management. He pointed out that while the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) places a heavy emphasis on PM10, it is the finer particulate matter—PM2.5—that poses the most significant threat to human health.
Ramesh emphasized that these microscopic particles, measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, are the "real killer" when it comes to public health. He called for an immediate revision and strict enforcement of PM2.5 safety standards to protect citizens.
Alarming Gap in Safety Standards
The former UPA environment minister revealed a staggering discrepancy between Indian standards and global health guidelines. According to Ramesh, the current PM2.5 levels in Delhi and North India are far beyond the limits prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- 24-Hour Average: Current levels are four times the WHO safety limits.
- Annual Average: Current levels are eight times the WHO safety limits.
Ramesh criticized the current administration, referring to it as the "PM3.0 government," stating that it needs to prioritize this environmental crisis more than it has in the past.
Delhi Gasps for Air: The Current AQI Situation
The political outcry comes as Delhi continues to struggle with hazardous air quality. On Monday, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuated between 385 and 428, placing the city firmly in the 'severe' to 'hazardous' categories.
Area-wise Pollution Breakdown
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) paints a grim picture of the air quality across various hotspots in the city:
- Rohini: 396 AQI
- Alipur: 375 AQI
- Vivek Vihar: 370 AQI
- Narela: 363 AQI
- Chandni Chowk: 358 AQI
- Akshardham Temple & ITO: 349 AQI each
- Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: 343 AQI
- India Gate & Janpath: 335 AQI
While some areas like Burari (308), Aya Nagar (276), and IGI Airport Terminal 3 (263) showed slightly lower numbers, they still remained within the 'Poor' or 'Very Poor' brackets. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 242.
GRAP Stage 1 Triggered
In response to the deteriorating conditions following Dussehra, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has already invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the Delhi-NCR region. This measure was implemented as the air quality plummeted into the 'poor' category, triggering a series of emergency protocols to curb further pollution.