Gadkari: Transport Causes 40% of Delhi Pollution
He also questioned the country’s heavy dependence on fossil fuel imports, stating that India spends nearly Rs 22 lakh crore annually on importing such fuels
New Delhi: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday expressed serious concern over Delhi’s worsening air pollution, acknowledging that the transport sector accounts for nearly 40 per cent of emissions.
Speaking at the launch of the book My Idea of Nation First – Redefining Unalloyed Nationalism by Uday Mahurkar, Gadkari said the polluted air in the national capital affects his health within days. “I stay in Delhi for just two days and end up getting infections. Why is Delhi suffering so much from pollution?” he asked.
Taking responsibility, Gadkari said, “I am the Transport Minister, and 40 per cent of the pollution is caused by us,” underlining the need for urgent corrective measures.
He also questioned the country’s heavy dependence on fossil fuel imports, stating that India spends nearly Rs 22 lakh crore annually on importing such fuels. Gadkari called for greater self-reliance in alternative and biofuels, arguing that reducing imports and increasing exports is true nationalism.
“What kind of nationalism is this? By spending so much money, we are polluting our own country. Can’t we become self-reliant in alternative fuels and biofuels?” he said.
Meanwhile, a thick layer of toxic smog engulfed several parts of Delhi on Wednesday, with visuals emerging from the ITO area as air quality continued to deteriorate. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced all measures under GRAP Stage-IV across the Delhi-NCR region.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the ITO area stood at 374, categorised as ‘very poor’.
The opposition has demanded a discussion on pollution in Parliament, with leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi urging the government to address the issue more seriously.
However, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that while the government was open to discussing air pollution, the debate could not take place due to disruptions by Congress and other opposition parties during the passage of the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Bill.
