As a toxic grey blanket of smog continues to suffocate the national capital, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has made an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding immediate intervention in what she describes as a severe public health emergency.
The Capital's Breathing Crisis
Delhi's air quality has plummeted to hazardous levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) consistently breaching the 'severe' category. The city's residents are waking up to another day of thick, polluted air that burns eyes, irritates throats, and poses serious health risks, particularly to children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
Political Pressure Mounts
In her strongly-worded appeal, Priyanka Gandhi highlighted the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the pollution crisis transcends political boundaries and requires immediate national attention. She urged the Prime Minister to treat the smog situation with the same urgency as any other national emergency.
'The people of Delhi are choking,' she stated, pointing out that the continuous deterioration of air quality has made normal breathing a health hazard for millions of citizens.
A Call for Concrete Action
The Congress leader's appeal comes amid growing public anger and frustration over the recurring pollution crisis. She stressed that temporary measures and blame games between different governments have proven inadequate in addressing what has become an annual environmental disaster.
Environmental experts echo her concerns, noting that the current situation requires coordinated efforts between the central government, state governments of Delhi and neighboring states, and municipal authorities to implement effective long-term solutions.
Health Implications Worsen
Medical professionals across Delhi hospitals report a significant surge in patients complaining of respiratory issues, including aggravated asthma, bronchitis, and other lung-related problems. The dangerous particulate matter (PM2.5) levels are currently multiple times higher than the safe limits prescribed by the World Health Organization.
As Delhi continues to gasp for clean air, all eyes are on the government's response to what many are calling the worst pollution crisis of the season.
