AAP protests hazardous air pollution in Ahmedabad, demands action

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a strong protest on Thursday at the Danapith office of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), calling for immediate action as air pollution across Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, reaches hazardous levels.

The protest was led by AAP State Chief Spokesperson Dr. Karan Barot, Education Cell State President Jeetu Upadhyay, City President Vijay Patel, State Vice-President Gauri Desai, State Spokesperson Himanshu Thakkar, and OBC Cell State President Rakesh Maheriya.

Party workers raised loud slogans aimed at “waking up” the civic authorities and submitted a memorandum demanding urgent measures to curb rising pollution.

In the memorandum, AAP highlighted that pollution in Gujarat’s major cities and industrial belts has surged drastically in recent months. “Industrial chemical waste, toxic emissions, dumping sites, and multiple other sources are directly impacting the daily lives of residents,” the party stated. Citizens are reportedly facing severe breathing issues, discomfort outdoors, and other health complications.

Recent data cited by AAP shows that Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in Ahmedabad and several other districts have escalated from “very poor” to “hazardous,” with some parts of Ahmedabad recording AQI above 400 — an extremely dangerous threshold. The party noted that the worsening air quality is leading to throat irritation, chest pain, burning eyes, respiratory distress, and heightened risk for children, senior citizens, and individuals with pre-existing lung conditions. Severe long-term health issues, including chronic respiratory and organ-related ailments, are expected to rise. Daily life, including outdoor activities, school routines, office commutes, and essential tasks, has been heavily affected.

“These numbers are not mere statistics — they reflect the harsh reality citizens face and the warnings issued by health experts,” AAP said in its memorandum.

The party urged AMC authorities to take immediate and strong measures to control pollution, calling the situation a “major environmental and public-health emergency.” AAP expressed hope that the administration will respond swiftly and implement effective steps to protect citizens and ensure clean air for future generations.