Delhi Air Pollution - The Mystery

What is the problem?

New Delhi's lethal venomous gases are choking the city's app 30 million people, and have been there for more than a decade now. 

The pollutant in the air is PM 2.5, two-third of which comes from neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana due to stubble burning which takes place every year at a stipulated time. PM 2.5 which is also known as fine particulate matter is a very deadly particle. It can initiate strokes, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory infections among other serious diseases.

What can the government do?

The government has already introduced measures like 'Odd-even' traffic management system. However, that has not been proven to be enough for a severe situation like this.

First of all the government should enforce the law in the most polluted areas between 8:00 and 15:00 of the capital and not just at the time of high pollution days. Cities like London and other European cities with high traffic are taking similar measures. The number of cars in Delhi is more than the other three major metro cities in India Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata which itself is a very risky situation.

Secondly, if the government wants lesser traffic on the roads, they have to work on a better public transportation system. Make public transport easily accessible and safer for all commuters.

Further, preference should be given to non-fuel-based vehicles like electric cars, etc. In the era of Teslas of the world that's quite possible. Solar energy based vehicles should be promoted.

The need for urbanization must stop. We have made a huge mistake by converting the entire NCR into a concrete jungle resulting in all-time low natural resources like trees plants to support us form a deadly situation like this. 

With a high jugad based and a land filled with brilliant minds, alternative solutions can easily be provided in India provided we do not leave everything on the government and start taking individual measures towards the same.