About three weeks back when the Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) shot up beyond 600, reportedly about 17 times the ‘safe’ limit, there was a furore in the print and news media —it was the talk of India. Since then apparently Delhi air has become safe to breathe again! As this piece is being written, the index has ‘plummeted’ to 493.
The Delhi Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor (LG) held some meetings; the Union Environment Minister exhorted the population to do their duty, specifically appealing to the kisans of Haryana and Punjab not to burn the zaid fasal roots.
Apparently all concerned were satisfied that the problem has been handled adequately, resulting ‘success’ in controlling the Delhi air, which is now allegedly only 14 times above the permitted norm! Kejriwal has not considered it necessary, even to refer to a renewed odd-even traffic arrangement this time around— like the seasoned callous politician he has turned into, he is certain that Delhi air issue will clean up by itself when this winter is over—and why worry about next year? The additional information this year is that a number of other cities like Lucknow, Allahabad, Agra and Jaipur are now vying to compete for the honour of being designated the most polluted city in India.
Why is there no white paper in public domain on the subject? Is a national problem recognised by anyone in authority at the Centre or in the States? Who, if any, is responsible for dealing with the subject, other than conveniently figure-pointing to other agencies? Has the Delhi Government no role on the matter? The State Government, the LG, the Union Environment Ministry, Union Transport Ministry and Union Cabinet—is anyone of them owning any responsibility?
Is there a standing group which meets every week, say, to study the matter, and give periodical—short-term/medium-term/ sustained—directions? Why this total abdication of responsibility by the Executive? Are the periodical staccato, half-baked, impulsive farmans by the apex court or the NGT even heard by anyone, or just ignored? When the Executive is utterly insensitive and irresponsible, what can the citizen do?
Like in complex phenomena, surely a number of factors apply. The geographical structure of the Gangetic plain is subject to the westerly winds in the post-monsoon season, which carry the dust and particles long distances. The changes in cropping pattern, with introduction of short-term and vegetable crops between the Kharif and Rabi season, leave a large stubble, normally unusable as fodder, and with large organic content, the farmer finds it most convenient to burn it off in preparation for the Rabi season.
Have these been factored in? Delhi has an annual growth rate of 6 per cent vehicular traffic, sustained now over three decades. Does anyone see the correlation with the air pollution problem? As the most prosperous city of India, Delhi’s need for outside vehicular traffic to supply goods and services has shot up; what has been done in creating the bypass? Has anyone seriously explored high-tax per entry for vehicular traffic?
Has the need for a radial local supporting transport system linking with the hinterland of each metro station even been examined? Has the large potential for absorption of particulate matter through technology been seriously explored? The list can go on. The only conclusion is that we have an inept, immature, unthinking, uncoordinated, wooden-headed paralysed administrative structure, with politicians masquerading as ‘leaders’. The failure to create a long-term plan is unforgiveable.
India today has the greatest leader any country can be blessed with. While one may not list this issue in the top five priorities of the country, it is certainly imperative to initiate action. Why can’t the Environment Protection Act be rapidly amended to empower the state government, not just to set standards, and also have the powers for regulation and implementation?
This surely will not be unconstitutional. Why can’t we set a six-month limit for preparing an action plan, and have a five-year period for sustained implementation? Successful multipronged action to clean up air pollution has been undertaken in many countries, the technology is available. Isn’t it time that our Executive woke up?
tsrsubramanian@gmail.com