High levels of air pollution, particularly in the National Capital Region, dominated a debate on the working of Environment Ministry in the Rajya Sabha on Monday (March 9, 2026). The TDP’s Masthan Rao Yadav Beedha said air pollution was the most pressing environmental challenges. “Poor air quality not only harms the environment but also poses severe risk to the health of millions of citizens, particularly children and the elderly. AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal said Delhi’s air pollution crisis is an “ongoing crime” against its residents. She said the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) must be freed from bureaucratic clutches and made autonomous.

Source: The Hindu March 10, 2026 01:11 UTC