Breathless in Delhi

With no solution in sight, Delhi continues to reel under air and water pollution, making the capital uninhabitable. Since Diwali, the national capital has not witnessed a single clear sunny day as the sky has remained hazy; meanwhile, the water in the Yamuna—one of the country’s holy rivers—remains unsuitable for aquatic life. On the other hand, the government has itself admitted on the floor of the House that it had failed to treat the waste flowing into the Yamuna in the absence of adequate sewage treatment plants. As a result of this double whammy, Delhi hospitals are being overburdened with patients suffering from acute respiratory illnesses, among other diseases.

Many citizens feel that it is high time to declare a health emergency in the capital; otherwise, it may witness another spell of deaths as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. With nearly a month to go before the New Year, the number of people affected by respiratory diseases has already broken all previous records. Six central hospitals have reportedly received nearly 69,000 patients, and the number is expected to rise in the remaining days of the year. The severity of the situation can be judged from the fact that, barring the COVID period, this is the first time parliamentarians are attending the winter session wearing masks. If the VIPs do not feel safe, the plight of ordinary citizens can easily be imagined.

Although the situation demands urgent action, many have found it a perfect occasion to indulge in blame games to settle personal scores. No one is ready to admit that it is a collective failure and that everyone must join hands to clear the mess. While shouting from rooftops, they are wilfully ignoring the need to address the root causes responsible for such a scenario. It is a Himalayan blunder that has been choking Delhi for years, with no positive intent to prevent it in sight.

The situation will not change overnight, but some strong steps must be taken immediately. The biggest source of pollution in Delhi is vehicular pollution. The city administration should take adequate measures to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads each day. It should also introduce a strict standard operating procedure at all construction sites. Additionally, it must construct adequate sewage treatment plants to restore the Yamuna’s health. Last but not least, “Clean Delhi” should not remain a slogan—it can become a reality only with active participation from the people.

Amid the gloom, the only silver lining is that a section of citizens has launched protests over the city’s hazardous air quality, alleging the state’s failure to combat the situation with earnestness and scientific rigour. With conditions worsening by the day, one hopes that more citizens will join the protests and compel the authorities to act without further delay.