The Environment group Climate Trends has released a report titled ‘Political Leaders Position and Action on Air Quality in India 2014-2019’ to highlight the dangerous Air Pollution levels at the Indian cities.
It states that that the Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency, is ranked third on the WHO’s list of 15 most polluted cities.
It reports that the situation in Varanasi is “deteriorating” as the Government has focused only on its beautification and infrastructure.
Varanasi is witnessing a rise in the number of people suffering from allergies and respiratory problems due to a “lot” of uncontrolled construction in the city.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Varanasi reached an alarming 490 in 2017 and 384 — very poor category — in December 2018.
Air Quality Index
Status
0 – 50
Good
51 – 100
Satisfactory
101 – 200
Moderate
201 – 300
Poor
301 – 400
Very Poor
401 – 500
Severe
The report claimed MPs of Lucknow and Kanpur have mostly been silent on the issue of air pollution in their respective constituencies.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh and senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi are MPs of the two constituencies respectively.