Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday highlighted the severe air pollution in Delhi, saying that he develops an infection within two days of being in the city.
Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, acknowledged that vehicle emissions are a major contributor to Delhi’s worsening air quality.
He said, “I hardly live here for two days and get an infection. Delhi is battling pollution. I am the transport minister — 40% of it is because of vehicles.”
Gadkari made the remarks while launching the book “My Idea of Nation First: Redefining Unalloyed Nationalism” by Uday Mahurkar in Delhi. His comments come amid a blame game between the government and the Opposition over the city’s deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI).
He also raised concerns over India’s heavy reliance on fossil fuel imports worth ₹22 lakh crore, questioning whether the country could shift to alternative or biofuels to reduce pollution. Gadkari gave an example of arriving in an Innova car running on 100% ethanol and generating 60% electricity.
Congress MP Imran Masood supported Gadkari’s remarks but added that vehicles alone cannot be blamed, pointing out that other cities like Mumbai and Dehradun have fewer pollution issues despite heavy traffic.
Despite stricter measures under GRAP Stage IV, Delhi continues to struggle with poor air quality, thick smog, and health issues, forcing residents to wear masks. The AQI remained in the ‘very poor’ category, with visibility affected by dense fog.
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