Congress Cites World Bank Report to Urge Action on India's Air Pollution Crisis

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh cited the World Bank's report 'A Breath of Change,' highlighting around one million premature deaths annually and economic losses of about 10% of regional GDP in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan foothills due to air pollution. He criticized the Modi government for alleged denial and urged immediate action, including stricter enforcement of emission norms, accelerated retirement of old coal plants, legally empowered airshed governance, and expansion of public transport and vehicle emission standards.