He used his own health reaction to underline the urgent need for action against deteriorating environmental conditions.
Gadkari Reveals Personal Health Struggle Amid Delhi’s Toxic Air Pollution
On Wednesday, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari made an admission about the severe level of air pollution in the national capital. He said he develops an infection if he stays in Delhi for just two days. While addressing the launch of veteran journalist Uday Mahurkar’s book “My Idea of Nation First: Redefining Unalloyed Nationalism” in New Delhi, Gadkari shared this personal experience. He emphasised that air quality has become toxic even for senior leaders.
Gadkari said, “I hardly live here for two days and get an infection; Delhi is battling pollution.” He used his own health reaction to underline the urgent need for action against deteriorating environmental conditions. The minister linked a significant portion of the capital’s pollution to the transport sector, acknowledging that around 40% of Delhi’s pollution comes from vehicular emissions and fossil fuel use, a sector under his own charge as transport minister.
Gadkari urged a shift away from fossil fuels and questioned India’s heavy reliance on imported petrol and diesel, observing that the country spends around INR 22 lakh crore annually on fossil fuel imports, which worsens pollution and economic burden. He asked why India cannot promote alternative and cleaner fuels, including electric vehicles, biofuels, and hydrogen-powered technologies, to reduce emissions and health risks.
His remarks came amid a worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi, where levels have remained in the very poor to hazardous categories despite ongoing pollution control measures, including graded action plans. Thick smog and poor visibility continue to affect daily life, with residents increasingly concerned about respiratory and infection-related problems.
Gadkari’s comments have sparked responses across the political spectrum. While some leaders welcomed his forthright acknowledgement of the environmental crisis, others said that vehicular pollution alone cannot explain Delhi’s severe air quality problems and urged comprehensive solutions beyond transport reforms.
Source: Hindustan Times
