New Delhi – Dec 12 (LatestNewsX) – Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, urged the government on Friday to devise a detailed, city‑specific plan to tackle air pollution, calling it a “non‑ideological” issue that requires collective debate to build a “united” national strategy.
He asked that the Treasury and opposition benches work together, insisting that the discussion begin in the House before moving toward a long‑term national blueprint.
Gandhi said, “it would be good if we have a detailed discussion, and then the Prime Minister puts in place a plan for each city – a methodical, systematic plan on how within the next five or ten years… maybe, we cannot resolve the problem, but how we are going to impact the problem and make life for our people easier.”
In a message on X, the LoP declared, “Air pollution has become a national catastrophe that demands a comprehensive and immediate national action plan. This is not a political issue but a bipartisan responsibility, for which we are ready to work with the PM to combat it, solve it and protect the future of our people.”
Earlier he clarified that the conversation should avoid dwelling on past failures and instead focus on practical steps. Gandhi highlighted that India’s largest cities are suffocated by toxic air, noting that children develop lung diseases, elderly citizens struggle to breathe, and cancer rates are climbing due to polluted skies.
According to the Congress MP, this provides a rare opportunity for government and opposition to show unity on a critical public health matter. He urged colleagues to steer clear of partisan bickering and instead demonstrate that both sides can collaborate on a pressing national challenge.
Gandhi stressed that framing the debate around tangible actions, rather than blame, is essential. He reiterated that India’s air‑quality crisis demands an urgent, all‑India response.
“I believe the government should lay out how to eliminate air pollution in our cities. We’re eager to work with the administration to craft such a plan. Very few issues today are suitable for agreement between the government and the Opposition,” he added.
“We remain ready to partner with the Cabinet to develop a pragmatic framework that reduces pollution levels and improves health outcomes for all citizens,” Gandhi reaffirmed.
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