Cong MLAs raise poor AQI in Haryana’s 24 cities, Rao Narbir contradicts claim

Speaking on his Calling Attention Notice, Surjewala said that the AQI is dangerously bad in Haryana’s 24 cities situated in and-around NCR. “There is also a significant lapse in the state’s data collection and reporting. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), 21 of these 24 monitored cities failed to capture sufficient pollution metrics, with over 80% of winter monitoring days yielding no usable data, concealing the scope of pollution and hampering remedial strategies. Pollution levels in Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Charkhi Dadri exceeded WHO standards for PM2.5 on 100% of days. Elevated PM 2.5 correlates strongly with heightened respiratory and cardiovascular risks and premature mortality, especially among children and the elderly,” he said.

He added that sustained exposure to such AQI leads to inflated healthcare costs and reduced workforce productivity. Studies also indicate heightened fatalities. “Senior officials from Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) cite the expiry of the data collection contract in February 2025, yet many stations stopped reporting in December 2024. It is concerning that the government let the contract lapse without expediting a new tender, creating critical data gaps. This situation demands an immediate and coordinated response from all stakeholders. The House should prioritise discussions on strengthening Haryana’s air quality monitoring framework and undertake actions for emission controls to prevent further deterioration of air quality,” Surjewala said.

Other Congress MLAs, including Shishpal Keharwala, Shalley Chaudhary and Kuldeep Vats also spoke on the issue and their Calling Attention Notices were clubbed with Surjewala’s.

Replying to the concerns, Rao Narbir Singh said that the government is very much concerned about the problem of air pollution. “But, the AQI of 24 cities of Haryana is not dangerously poor as mentioned in the notice, though it is exceeding the allowed limits. The yearly AQI has been less than 200 which comes in moderate category. However, it exceeded 200 in Faridabad and Gurgaon in 2023 and 2024,” he said.

He added that the HSPCB has closed 480 industries and imposed environment compensation of approx. Rs 35 crore on industries causing Air Pollution during 2023 and 2024. During Graded Response Action Plans (GRAP) period imposed by Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR, 286 violations of air pollution by various industries/ agencies have been found and an environment compensation of approx. Rs 13 crore has been imposed. Stubble burning incidents have come down from 12,657 in 2017 to 1406 in 2024 in the paddy season and from 4747 in 2017 to 3155 in 2024 in wheat season.

“Haryana has deployed 122 anti-smog guns, 255 water sprinklers and 62 mechanised road sweeping machines to suppress the dust emissions. The state government has also proposed Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development supported by World Bank at Rs 3647 crore up to 2030. Transport Department, Industries Department, ULBD, Agriculture Department, Haryana State Pollution Control Board etc. will be assigned various activities to control air pollution. Activities and funds proposed to be incurred are Rs 1127 crore for deployment of e-buses and charging stations, Rs 145 crore for incentives for 3 wheeler electric vehicles, Rs 530 crore for boilers / generator sets running on Piped Natural Gas, Rs 30 crores for common boilers across industries, Rs 279 crore for stubble burning and clean manure management and Rs 230 crore for real time air quality monitoring”, the minister stated.