BJD Rajya Sabha member Manas Ranjan Mangaraj on Thursday urged the government to relocate Parliament’s Winter and Budget sessions out of Delhi until the city’s air quality improves. Describing the capital’s annual pollution crisis as a “man-made disaster,” Mangaraj called for urgent measures to safeguard the health of lawmakers, staff, and support personnel who operate within Parliament premises during peak pollution months.

Speaking during Zero Hour, the Odisha MP drew comparisons with his home state’s disaster management capabilities. He highlighted how Odisha efficiently handles cyclones, floods, and other natural calamities with meticulous planning and rapid execution, suggesting that similar urgency should be applied to the escalating air pollution in Delhi. “We cannot ignore the daily exposure to toxic air endured by members, officers, drivers, sanitation staff, and security personnel,” he said.

Mangaraj proposed relocating sessions to cities with cleaner air and adequate infrastructure, naming Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Goa, and Dehradun as viable alternatives. He stressed that moving Parliament temporarily would prevent unnecessary health risks while ensuring legislative business continues uninterrupted. “If Odisha can evacuate lakhs during cyclones with precision, then surely India can relocate two parliamentary sessions to protect lives,” he argued.

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Emphasising that his appeal was non-political, Mangaraj said the proposal seeks to prioritise life and dignity above partisan interests. He called for structured consultations to assess the feasibility of rotating Parliament sessions to healthier environments, urging the government to act without delay.

Delhi’s air quality typically worsens sharply between October and January due to stubble burning, vehicular emissions, construction dust, and weather patterns that trap pollutants. The timing of the Winter and Budget sessions coincides with this period, making the risk to those present in Parliament particularly acute. Mangaraj’s call has revived debate over whether temporary relocation could become a pragmatic solution to safeguard public servants during the annual pollution crisis.

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