- By Nidhi Giri
- Wed, 24 Dec 2025 01:04 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has raised concerns over the hazardous air in Delhi-NCR stating that prolonged stay in the national capital leaves him with an infection. Speaking at a public event, the minister also mentioned the transport sector’s contribution in worsening the crisis.
“If I stay in Delhi for barely two days, I get a throat infection," the minister said.
“I am the Transport Minister, and around 40 per cent of pollution happens because of us, mainly due to the use of fossil fuels," he added.
Delhi overall Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to the ‘very poor’ category at 342 on Wednesday at 8 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), improving from the ‘severe’ level recorded on Tuesday, which was above 400.
Only three monitoring stations, Aya Nagar, IGI Airport (T3), and Mandir Marg, recorded ‘poor’ air quality on Wednesday.
Gadkari also connected the current pollution crisis with economic and national interest. He said, "If there is any true nationalism today, it is reducing imports and increasing exports."
AAP Targets BJP Over Gadkari’s Remark
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sanjeev Jha targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over Gadkari’s remark stating that the government's response in Parliament was completely opposite. Jha said that the government mentioned in the House that there was no solid scientific evidence conclusively linking air pollution to lung-related diseases.
“This is not just about Delhi, it concerns the entire North India," Jha told India Today. He also slammed the central government over poor coordination with the states.