Environmental Expert Advocates Year-Round Action Against Delhis Pollution Crisis

New Delhi, October 28 (Daily Kiran) : As air pollution continues to rise in New Delhi, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been put into effect. Renowned environmentalist Bhavreen Kandhari shared her insights on the escalating pollution levels and the Air Quality Index (AQI) during a recent interview. She noted that the action plan is typically an annual measure, but discussions began earlier this year, allowing for a timely implementation.

Delhi’s Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, has been notably proactive regarding the pollution issue, emphasizing a “Winter Action Plan.” While similar initiatives have been proposed in previous years, this time there appears to be a stronger focus on stringent regulations. The crucial question remains: how will these measures be enforced?

Kandhari raised concerns about the feasibility of enforcement. “If you lack sufficient personnel, how can you expect to manage the situation?” she remarked. For instance, if vehicles are halted at borders, millions would be affected, yet there aren’t enough trained personnel to conduct thorough checks. Furthermore, there is no rapid response team to address construction violations. Complaints often take too long to process, allowing pollution to persist in the interim.

She emphasized that the gap between lodging a complaint and actual enforcement leads to ongoing pollution. Thus, it is essential to implement regulations strictly. If the government is genuinely committed, it must integrate strict measures into a systematic action plan. Efforts to reduce local emissions should operate like a mission, addressing pollution exacerbated by geographical factors.

Kandhari warned that actions such as bursting firecrackers, setting fire to garbage, or increasing industrial emissions could elevate pollution levels to dangerous heights, potentially leading to a disaster. She criticized the notion that firecrackers hold any religious significance, stating, “I fail to understand how people associate firecrackers with religious sentiments. They should be viewed merely as a celebration, especially as awareness campaigns in schools are teaching children to avoid them.”

Currently, there seems to be no escape from pollution. With temperatures expected to drop in the coming weeks, she questioned how such mistakes could be made. She noted that pollution levels can spike dramatically within a single evening, with particles lingering in the air for weeks or months. The laws regarding pollution are clear, and this issue extends beyond just Diwali celebrations. Events such as Christmas, Dussehra, Gurpurab, political rallies, and cricket matches also contribute to pollution. Therefore, engaging in such practices is unjustifiable.