In an unusual turn of events, the ministry of environment and forests "withdrew" a statement by minister Prakash Javadekar that had slammed as "not correct" a study released by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology which said life expectancy in Delhi and other cities was decreasing due to pollution. The minister had further said the study's release when PM Narendra Modi was in the US seemed motivated.

The Minister had said:

"The study by IITM claiming life expectancy in Delhi has reduced by six years because of air pollution is not correct as it is not based on real data, but only an extrapolation."

He said the Central Pollution Control Board would give a detailed response but dwelled on the timing of the study's release.

"Moreover, the timing of the release of the study seems to be motivated as it has been done when the Prime Minister is on a visit to the US," he had said.

The minister, who felt the study was creating sensationalism, said the government was working hard to ensure measures were taken to tackle pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region in collaboration with the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP and Punjab.