Air Pollution: No Respite for Delhiites

As usual, there is no respite from air pollution for Delhi residents as with the onset of winter air quality in the national capital has once again dipped to an alarming level. Although the government has taken a few steps to control pollution levels including closing of primary schools, banning entry of diesel vehicles in the city, halting construction works, etc., there is no respite in sight from this dangerous living condition. The steps taken are simply cosmetic in nature. Surely, the country’s capital needs much bolder initiatives to improve its air quality. The current situation demands complete removal of any pollutants in and around the national capital territory (NCR). Public support is a crucial component in the fight against the pollution menace, without it Delhiites will continue to struggle amidst hazardous air .

It is a dangerous scenario as polluted air can make even physically fit persons ill and cause serious complications to those already suffering from respiratory diseases and other co-morbidities. It is extremely harmful for children too as faced with poor air quality from childhood, immunity levels will be affected, making them more susceptible to diseases and unfit for strenuous jobs in the future. In such a situation, the human resource of the country will be vastly impacted and hamper the progress of the nation. It is high time to tackle this problem with determination and  authorities must not spare individuals and organisations causing further damage to air quality through unchecked vehicles or illegal construction works. Clearly, a strong-arm approach is the need of the hour to make Delhi habitable again.

To wipe out the menace from its root, the authorities should first restrict the number of vehicles plying on Delhi roads. Some believe that stubble burning in neighbouring states like Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh contributes hugely in polluting the Delhi air. However, it is emissions from vehicles plying on the roads of the national capital which is primarily responsible for such poor air quality. So, citizens should minimise the use of private vehicles and be encouraged to opt for mass transport. In this context, the odd-even formula may be helpful if the authorities stick to this arrangement throughout the year.

Another important aspect in the fight against pollution which is often sidelined  is ensuring the cooperation of the people. Without the people’s support the battle is impossible to tackle successfully. For instance, the ban imposed on crackers during Diwali was largely ignored as citizens were against the idea of government interference into traditional practices. Instead, imposition of ban on the cracker industry may have been a more effective move to achieve the desired goal. Further, the number of construction projects ongoing in the city and neighbouring areas at any given time should be restricted to prevent dust from polluting the air. Additionally, close cooperation among various state governments is a must to resolve the dire situation.