Congress criticises government as Delhi air quality hits very poor category
Jairam Ramesh urged the government to revise PM2.5 safety standards after the capital's air quality index reached 312 on Monday.
The Congress party criticised the Modi government on Monday, November 2, 2026, as Delhi's air quality entered the 'very poor' category for the first time this season. According to The Hindu, the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded 312 at 9 am.
Congress General Secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said on X that PM2.5 is choking the national capital and other parts of north India. He stated that the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) focuses heavily on PM10, but PM2.5 is the real killer regarding public health.
Ramesh claimed that India's PM2.5 safety standards are four times the World Health Organisation (WHO) 24-hour average safety levels and eight times the annual average. He said the standards need to be revised urgently and enforced strictly.
The leader also took a swipe at the administration, stating the "so-called PM 3.0 government", which is in deep trouble, needs to take the issue more seriously than it has so far.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies an AQI between 301 and 400 as 'very poor'. Under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), Stage 2 measures are applied when the AQI enters this category.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decides to invoke Stage 2 based on air quality and meteorological forecasts to curb pollution.