AAP MLAs Protest in Delhi Assembly, Atishi Pushes for Urgent Action on Air Pollution Crisis

MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party on Monday staged a protest inside the Delhi Assembly, flagging the worsening air pollution situation in the national capital.

The demonstration was led by Leader of Opposition Atishi, who accused the authorities of failing to respond with urgency to a public health emergency that affects millions of residents.

Atishi raises public health concerns in Assembly

Leading the protest, Atishi said Delhi's toxic air posed a serious threat to children, senior citizens and people suffering from respiratory illnesses. She underlined that rising pollution levels were not merely an environmental issue but a health crisis that required immediate and coordinated policy intervention. AAP legislators demanded accountability and stronger enforcement of pollution control measures, stressing that delay would only worsen long-term health outcomes for citizens.

AAP demands stronger, coordinated measures

AAP leaders called on the government to implement stricter curbs on vehicular emissions, industrial pollution and unchecked construction activity. They also pressed for a coordinated approach with neighbouring states to tackle stubble burning, which continues to contribute significantly to winter smog in Delhi. The party maintained that piecemeal actions would not be enough and urged authorities to act decisively before conditions deteriorate further.

AQI remains poor across key areas of Delhi

Several Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai and Guwahati, woke up to dense fog on Monday morning. In the national capital, air quality ranged from poor to very poor across multiple locations. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index of 260 by 8 am, placing it in the poor category.

Visuals from Akshardham showed an AQI of 294, also categorised as poor. At ITO, the AQI stood at 256, while Anand Vihar saw a sharper decline at 320, falling in the very poor bracket. Chandni Chowk emerged as one of the worst-hit areas, recording an AQI of 337, classified as very poor.

Fog disrupts flights as AAP seeks preventive action

Reduced visibility due to fog and smog disrupted flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport, with several departures delayed during the early hours. AAP leaders argued that such disruptions highlighted the everyday impact of pollution on mobility and economic activity, reinforcing the need for preventive action rather than reactive measures.

In a related development, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan under the Commission for Air Quality Management lifted Stage III restrictions on Friday evening, citing improved air quality due to favourable meteorological conditions. AAP, however, maintained that temporary weather-driven relief should not be mistaken for structural improvement and called for sustained policy measures to ensure cleaner air throughout the year.