Should one laugh or cry at Delhi's pollution emergency? Exactly one year and a day after its record-breaking pollution level, we are back to nearly the same low. This is despite Indian scientists, researchers and environmentalists having done some fine work in breaking down the problem and identifying solutions. And, to an extent, steps taken by the government and the Supreme Court. So is the main problem that for most people, it's not really a concern, and so there's only episodic political pressure?
The pollution problem is big but is fixable with a mix of policy, political will, and micromanagement by residents at their home and neighbourhood level. And, where required, appeal to the Supreme Court for intervention.
1. Get more buses on the road, get more private vehicles off the roads: In 1998, the Supreme Court ordered the fleet to be increased to 10,000 buses. Almost 20 years later, despite many promises, Delhi's has less than half that.
3. Target diesel private cars, SUVs: Both diesel and petrol are polluting, but studies have shown that diesel cars are many times worse than petrol ones. Even the advance Euro 6 ones, which India is scheduled to get in April 2020, have failed emission tests. Diesel cars and SUVs should be dis-incentivized in Delhi, as many other cities around the world are doing. The Supreme Court began a 1% cess on vehicles with diesel engines about 2000 cc. Why not increase the cess and expand it to under-two litre engined vehicles? Also, bring the prices of petrol and diesel at par.
5. Plants along roads: Studies show that trees, bushes, hedges help counter pollutants. Of course, a careful selection should be made to suit Indian conditions so that it's not counter-productive and we don't opt for plants trap pollutants rather than get rid of these.
6. Electric heaters for security guards, and other such common-sensical steps: That's how basic combating pollution can be, as GRAP has shown. Homes and Resident Welfare Associations are required - by law now - to provide electric heaters to guards in winter to prevent them from lighting up little fires to keep warm. Groups of residents, and traders in small or large markets can keep an eye out for open burning, even if it is dhabas or hotels using coal and wood. RWAs, trader groups and local police should be empowered to crackdown on polluters.
The current pollution levels may be extraordinary but fundamentally, the pollution is not. With the possible exception of farm fires, all pollutants are emitted continuously throughout the year. But it's because of climatic factors that these linger around us (little wind, cooler temperatures in November) or are dispersed faster (summer heat) or washed away (monsoon).
Environmentalists like Sunita Narain, Sarath Guttikunda and agencies like SAFAR and CPCB have documented for years how pollution is generated around the clock, across the country, not just in Delhi. If a clean-up has to happen, it needs to be across the north. From Punjab to Bihar, it's a belt of roughly 400 million people. Delhi-NCR, given the density of population, may be the worst, but the pollution sources, India's 'smogsboard', are broadly the same in other cities as well.
Studies by IIT-Kanpur, CSE, GRAP, Vidhi Legal Policy, etc have a ton of practical, doable suggestions. But, be it governments or residents, experience shows that even a little action takes a lot of effort.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
Air Pollution Drives 7% Of Deaths In Big Indian Cities: Study "National Shame": Lt Governor Slams Arvind Kejriwal After Delhi Gets "Most Polluted City" Tag Delhi World's Most Polluted Capital City Again: Report 3 Students Dead After Flooding In Delhi Coaching Centre Basement At Olympics Opening Ceremony, Drag Parody Of 'The Last Supper' Draws Flak Kamala Harris Cuts Down Donald Trump's Lead Sharply, Show Latest Polls Bomb Threat Inside Delhi Bus, Police Recover Suspicious Object "Will Pay Heavy Price": Netanyahu Warns Hezbollah After Air Strike Kills 11 "Will Pay Heavy Price": Netanyahu Warns Hezbollah After Strike Kills 10 Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.