Delhi - gasping for breath

Pollution has been a key challenge for 70 million plus people living in the National Capital Region (NCR) for more than two decades. People have been suffering from the consequences of air, water, and noise pollution. In the past decade, in particular, air pollution in the autumn and winter months has become a major crisis.

The air quality of Delhi and surrounding areas deteriorates to the severely poor category, requiring several restrictions, including school shutdowns, mobility restrictions, construction ban, etc. Pollution has become a serious impediment to the health, life, and productivity of the local population. Besides, since this is the peak tourist arrival season for North India, it also negatively impacts the local economy.

Every year, governments and administrations pretend to take serious note of the problem and promise to take effective steps to control the air quality. However, the problem is worsening every year.

In my view, air pollution is a major issue that requires a mission scale effort to handle. Random and ad hoc measures that are usually taken every year have minimal effect on the air quality level. In many cases, like the ban on diesel vehicles and power generators, these prove to be counterproductive. I suggest the following 10 measures that may be taken as part of the long-term sustainable solution for the air pollution problem in the Delhi NCR area.

1.    Develop a 2 km wide ring forest encircling the NCR area. Forest may have dense trees like banyan, need, peepul, and amaltas on govt land and fruit trees like Mango, Jamun, etc. on the farmland falling on the way. Farmers may be provided an adequate subsidy to undertake these fruit plantations on their farmland.

2.    The entire Aravali hill range must be declared a protected land. All illegal mining in the area must be punished severely. Intensive reforestation activity must be taken on the hill range.

3.    All households must take a pledge to not use personal vehicles at least 2 days in a week, unless there is a medical emergency.

4.    All civil work contractors must be required to ensure that no dust is scattered around or flies from their work projects.

5.    All roads must be made pothole free to avoid traffic slowdown.

6.    All encroachments on public roads, including unauthorized parking that slows down the traffic, must be immediately removed with severe penalties for any recurrence.

7.    Govt may allow the removal of crop stubble using MNREGA workers till a viable tech is available to dispose of crop residue from farms to minimize burning of crop residue.

8.    Airports in NCR may be expanded to ensure there is no air traffic jam over NCR skies during peak hours.

9.    Large industries with material emissions may be systematically relocated away from NCR.

10. Empty grounds may be developed as city forests. The horticulture department may identify institutional, commercial & residential areas where threes could be planted and partner with the owners to plant and maintain trees.