Congress Criticises Modi Government Over 20 Lakh Deaths Due to Air Pollution

The Congress has alleged that the Modi government is unwilling to accept the facts regarding the number of deaths caused by air pollution in India. On Monday, November 9, 2026, Congress severely criticised this stance of the government and demanded that the current standards for PM2.5 and ozone be made more stringent and the National Clean Air Programme be revised.

Referring to a FICCI-EY report, Congress General Secretary In-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh stated that approximately 20 lakh deaths (nearly 22% of total deaths) in India in 2023 were attributable to air pollution. He stated on the X platform that the Modi government has long failed to acknowledge the impact of air pollution on the mortality rate in the country.

Former Environment Minister Ramesh further added that the government has rejected numerous studies both inside and outside Parliament. The government maintains that these studies are not specific to India and their effects are not directly or exclusively attributable to air pollution. However, Ramesh stated that a detailed FICCI-EY report has now emerged which clearly indicates that 20 lakh deaths occurred due to pollution in 2023. He described this report as another warning for the slumbering Modi government.

Stating that the ease of breathing is a more fundamental issue than the ease of doing business, Ramesh remarked that PM2.5 has become a decisive killer in many parts of India. He suggested that the agenda for reform has been clear for a long time and the FICCI report presents a ten-year phased roadmap for national action. He urged that implementation should begin immediately, whereby PM2.5 and ozone standards should be tightened to the safety levels recommended by the WHO.

The Congress leader demanded changes to the National Clean Air Programme and a focus on PM2.5 and ozone. Additionally, he appealed for the introduction of a new Clean Air Act focusing on public health to replace the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981. Ramesh said that evidence regarding the sources of air pollution and its impact on public health has emerged, and therefore, the Modi government cannot ignore this analysis by the country's leading industry body.

Meanwhile, a day after Diwali, dense smog enveloped Delhi, leading to reduced visibility and the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 370, which falls within the 'severe' category. The worst quality was recorded at DTU and Burari Crossing monitoring stations, where the AQI was 437. Four other stations recorded 'poor' quality, while the remaining stations were in the 'very poor' category.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 0 to 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'. The weather remained 'severe' in several areas including Bawana, Burari, Jahangirpuri, Sonia Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, Okhla, and Rohini. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, Delhi's air pollution levels may enter the 'severe' category during the day and are likely to remain there in the coming days.