High levels of air pollution, particularly in the National Capital Region, dominated a debate on the working of Environment Ministry in the Rajya Sabha on Monday (March 9, 2026). The Members demanded strict protocols to curb pollution and demanded “conceptual restructuring” of the Ministry to meet the emerging challenges of climate change.
BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, initiating the debate, said the Narendra Modi government has taken several initiatives to curb environmental pollution, intensify forest conservation work and increase the number of tigers. “Waste is increasing in every sector. We have to tackle this waste through proper management,” he said.
YSR Congress Party’s Ayodhya Rami Reddy Alla demanded “structural transformation and restructuring” of the Ministry and urged the government to stop operating in thematic silos.
Decoding air pollution concerns in Delhi-NCR
“The Ministry was last conceptually restructured in 2014 when climate change was added to its name, but no comprehensive strategic review of its mandate, structure or capabilities has been conducted. This also needs to be completely re-looked,” he said.
