I am writing this post sitting in the capital city of our country. Delhi is not only notorious for being on the hit-list of contributing to the growing crime that hits our country, but now has achieved another top level position and has been termed as the most polluted city in the country.
A recent report on ambient air pollution published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that air pollution in Delhi is almost three times higher than that in Beijing. The fact that geographical area of Delhi is far lesser than that of Beijing [being only 1,484.0 km2 as against 16,410.54 km2 (that of Beijing)] and still Delhi manages to emit more air pollutants, leaves me astonished. Another shock is the fact that Beijing is way more urbanised than Delhi, and still Delhi has surpassed Beijing and became more ambient air pollutant a city.
The said Report of WHO has been referred to by World Bank in its Report on leveraging urbanisation in South Asia, which has identified air pollution as a big challenge for major cities in region of South Asia, Delhi being worst among 391 countries.
Ambient air quality refers to the quality of the air in surrounding environment. The report of WHO has evaluated the ambient air pollutant in measure ofrespirable suspended particulate matter (PM). The capital’s air has been recorded at 316 µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter) this year – way above the permissible limit of 40 µg/m3.
The major cause of increase in ambient air pollution is increased vehicle emissions and the burning of fossil fuels by industries. Way back in 2001, when CNG program was launched in Delhi, it was definitely a success. Public transport shifted from diesel/petrol to CNG. It wasn’t only cost effective but also enormously environment friendly.
However, since then the process of curbing air pollution seems to come at halt.It is very disheartening to note that the fuel cost has increased so much that it has actually led to undermining the basic essence of clean environment policy. The price variation between diesel and CNG- which, way back in 2002-03, used to be clearlyvisible- has nowplummeted to unnoticeable levels.
There is an increase in population, with which there is an increase in the number of vehicles plying on Delhi roads. The recent ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years was a welcome move. However, much more is required to curb the growing increase in air pollution.
On an average, a family of four owns a minimum of two cars. People here are truly living up to their love for flamboyance, and are least concerned where this attitude is leading us to. Private cars either run on petrol or diesel, both contributing hugely to air pollution.
It is important for the government to encourage the use of public transport. However, unfortunately, the state of affairs of public transport in our country is so terrible that if people are saved by diseases due to pollution, they would definitely get caught by the state of affairs of public transport!!
Another major cause that needs urgent attention is the increase in industrial pollution. Despite having environmental laws in place, there is an ever increase in emission of pollutants by industries. Curbing and minimising industrial pollution is a prime concern and needs urgent attention of the government and industries at large.
Increased air pollutants cause hugely dangerous ailments like asthma, lung cancer, severe respiratory illness, and heart disease. If steps are not taken to control the growing pollution, it will create tremendous problems for us.
I used to be proud and I still am, about the fact that I belong to the capital city of our country, Delhi. However, corrective measures need to be taken, not just by the government, but also by us, the citizens of India. We need to be more cautious and more environment friendly than we presently are!!
