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Clearing the air on Delhi’s pollution crisis
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Context
Air pollution in Delhi has become a significant concern, with minimal impact from efforts like the National Clean Air Programme. The National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court have emphasized the urgent need for transformative measures, while comparing Delhi’s struggles to those of cities like Los Angeles and Beijing.
Air Pollution Challenges
- Persistent Pollution: Despite measures since 1984, air pollution in Delhi persists due to rapid urbanization and vehicle emissions, with pollution worsening each year.
- Ineffective Interventions: The National Clean Air Programme has made little impact as it focuses mainly on monitoring and emergency measures, failing to address the root causes.
- Court’s Concern: The Supreme Court has raised questions about the limited effectiveness of agencies like the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and their failure to address systemic causes.
Root Causes and Dispersed Sources
- Vehicular Emissions: In Delhi, 60% of pollution stems from vehicles, exacerbated by traffic congestion and photochemical reactions leading to high PM2.5 levels.
- Limited Impact of Stubble Burning: Stubble burning, often blamed for pollution spikes, contributed less than 1% to PM2.5 levels in Delhi on October 17, yet remains a focal point.
- Societal and Agricultural Factors: Solutions targeting vehicular emissions and farm fires have been ineffective, as farmers face challenges like groundwater conservation and limited technological solutions.
Lessons from Beijing and Required Reforms
- Beijing’s Approach: Beijing’s success in controlling air pollution includes public awareness, forecasting severe smog, and a massive public transport system with over 30,000 buses.
- Need for Regional Cooperation: Pollution in Delhi requires integrated regional efforts, as air toxicity is a complex problem driven by both local and regional sources.
- Court's Role in Reform: The Court should mandate a comprehensive toxicity management plan, with clear budgetary allocations, instead of episodic measures like targeting farmers.
Practice Question:
Evaluate the challenges and measures required to combat air pollution in Delhi, drawing comparisons with other global cities like Beijing, and suggest a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of urban air toxicity.
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