NEW DELHI, Dec 19 — Parliament was adjourned sine die on Friday, bringing the Winter Session to an early close and leaving a scheduled discussion on Delhi’s worsening air pollution off the agenda.
Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned indefinitely, preventing lawmakers from raising concerns over deteriorating air quality in the National Capital Region, which has faced “very poor” pollution levels for weeks.
The debate on air pollution had been listed for the final day of the Lok Sabha. Members including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and Bansuri Swaraj were expected to speak on rising levels of particulate matter and their impact on public health.
“This is not just an environmental issue but a public health emergency,” an opposition MP said, reacting to the adjournment.
Delhi has repeatedly recorded high concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10, with thick smog affecting visibility, transport services and daily routines. Health experts say children, senior citizens and people with respiratory and cardiac conditions are the most vulnerable.
Environmental groups have called for tighter vehicular emission checks, stricter industrial regulation and coordinated action to address crop residue burning in neighboring states.
The decision to adjourn Parliament without taking up the issue sparked criticism on social media, with several users questioning the delay in legislative discussion on a problem affecting millions of residents across the NCR.
