The Govt’s Asking What to Do About Air Pollution. Don’t They Know?

It’s not like the problem is new, so what is the government waiting for?

The air quality in five northern cities was among the world’s worst over the Diwali 2016 weekend. (Photo Courtesy: IndiaSpend)

Air pollution. It’s been around for a looooonnnnngggg time. And it’s forced the government to implement emergency Odd-Even measures, ban construction work and shut down schools on multiple occasions.

Different political parties can’t decide where the main sources of pollution come from. Some, like Arvind Kejriwal, say it’s primarily caused by stubble burning in neighbouring states. Others, like the union environment minister, say most of Delhi’s pollution comes from within Delhi.

And now, to top it all off, a cabinet minister is asking the public what they should do to deal with the situation.

Also Read: Stubble Burning: Major Source of Pollution or Political Scapegoat?

(Image Courtesy: IndiaSpend)

The thing is, there are ample studies that offer suggestions about how to deal with the issue, and the government does have plans laid out that they haven’t fully implemented.

Also Read: As Delhi Chokes, Govt Decides to Crack Down on Pollution... Soon

Last week, the union environment ministry issued a set of directives for addressing air pollution that strongly resembled the directives they released a year ago. Those directives included vacuuming dust on roads, reducing emissions from cars and reducing dust and pollution from open fires and construction.

So the government clearly knows where different sources of pollution are coming from – even if the different parties argue about which source is more potent. Why, then, are some officials asking the public for help?

Haze hangs over Delhi the morning after Diwali celebrations. (Photo: Abhipsha Mahapatro/The Quint)

Air pollution levels remain high. Just because we can see more sun peak through the haze these days doesn’t mean we aren’t inhaling dangerous levels of toxins. And that’s despite a number of measures that have been put into place, like watering down roads.

Experts agree that addressing the air pollution problem will require multiple approaches to adequately deal with the different sources of pollution. A report from IIT-Kanpur, published around 10 months ago, recommended 28 measures to tackle the haze.

Seventeen of those measures could be implemented immediately and could have almost immediate effects. That includes ensuring domestic waste isn’t burned, forcing companies to make sure their activities don’t kick up too much dust and stopping stubble burning.

These measures have been discussed for years. Things haven’t changed yet though.

Meanwhile, Delhi is still waiting for the government to do something.