Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, has once again voiced his concerns regarding Delhi's hazardous air quality, stating that even a brief two-day stay in the city can lead to throat infections. Gadkari's remarks highlight the severity of Delhi's ongoing struggle with air pollution and its impact on public health.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai on Monday, Gadkari cited medical research suggesting that Delhi's pollution could reduce the average life expectancy of its citizens by as much as 10 years. He emphasized that both Delhi and Mumbai are in the "red zone" due to high pollution levels, stressing the urgent need to address environmental concerns with the same priority as economic and infrastructural development.

Gadkari has been a vocal critic of Delhi's air quality for some time. In December of last year, he confessed that he often felt reluctant to visit the capital due to the increased pollution levels, noting that he frequently caught infections after his visits. He stated, "Every time, while coming to Delhi, I think whether I should go or not because pollution levels are so high".

The Union Minister also addressed potential solutions to combat pollution, positioning road infrastructure development and the adoption of alternative fuels as central to the effort. Gadkari highlighted India's heavy reliance on fossil fuel imports, which contribute significantly to pollution. He advocated for a shift towards alternative fuels like bio-CNG to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and decrease the nation's import bill.

Gadkari also touched upon the broader implications of pollution, linking it to public awareness and migration patterns. He noted that large-scale migration from villages to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata has exacerbated environmental problems.

In addition to air pollution, Gadkari has also criticized the management of municipal waste in Delhi, referring to the city's legacy waste dump sites as "tourist spots". He mentioned his efforts to utilize processed materials from these sites for highway projects, with some success in using segregated and processed waste.

Gadkari's recent statements serve as a reminder of the pressing need for effective measures to tackle air pollution in Delhi and other major Indian cities. His emphasis on infrastructure development, alternative fuels, and waste management underscores a multi-faceted approach to addressing the environmental challenges facing the nation.