Congress Gives Adjournment Motion Notice on Delhi Air Pollution

New Delhi: Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Monday submitted an Adjournment Motion notice in the Lok Sabha, seeking an urgent discussion on severe air pollution in Delhi-NCR and calling for the declaration of a National Public Health Emergency. In his notice, Tagore cited Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 461, categorised as “Severe Plus,” the highest level recorded this season. He described the situation as a matter of definite and urgent public importance. Tagore referred to findings by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which highlighted lapses such as poor road maintenance, failures in dust mitigation, accumulation of municipal and construction waste, and repeated incidents of open burning, all contributing to dangerously high pollution levels. He further noted that hospitals across the National Capital Region have reported nearly a 25 per cent surge in patients with respiratory ailments over the past two days. Elderly people, children, and patients with asthma, COPD, and other comorbidities have been particularly affected, with doctors reporting relapses even among previously stabilised patients. “Given the scale, immediacy, and seriousness of the crisis, it constitutes a public health emergency directly impacting the right to life and health of millions of citizens,” Tagore stated in his notice. The Congress MP also requested that the Leader of Opposition be allowed to speak during the discussion to fully articulate public concerns and emphasise the need for urgent remedial measures. Tagore urged the Speaker to admit the Adjournment Motion under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha and allow the House to deliberate on the issue in the larger public interest. Copies of the notice were addressed to the Speaker and relevant ministries. Separately, Congress MP Amar Singh also submitted an Adjournment Motion notice seeking discussion on severe air pollution in the national capital and adjoining areas.



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