Is pollution in Delhi going down ? is being asked by many residents.Opinions are varied.

Praveen Upadhyay,an IT professional, feelsIt is becoming better, however, there are lots to be done to brand Delhi clean.

Anurag Pathak,a Delhi University student, says there is no significant improvement in air quality as summer and monsoon seasons are always cleaner in Delhi.The real test will start after Diwali .

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, held a press conference on 7th Oct, and claimed  that efforts of the Central Pollution Control Board are resulting in more good days in terms of environment in the National Capital Region of Delhi. 

Problem of stubble burning

He informed that a high level meeting of the five States to address the problem of air pollution in Delhi, due to stubble burning would be held soon.

To control stubble burning, the government has given more than 20 thousand machines to farmers in Punjab and Haryana at a cost of about Rs.1150 crore, the Minister said.

On a philosophical note,Shri Javadekar said “Recognition of existence of a problem is beginning of solution of the problem.

The pollution problem of Delhi-NCR started aggravating since 90s and was recognized very late.This realisation came only when people started leaving Delhi, lots residents lost life due to air pollution and related issues.

Alergy, asthma, lung disease, cancer, vector borne diseases, psychological problems etc are results of pollution in Delhi.

Air Quality Index monitoring

In 2015, under the supervision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched. Today, 113 AQI monitoring stations are present in Delhi-NCR and 29 more are to be installed soon. claimed Shri Javadekar.

More Good days for Delhi

The Minister highlighted that out of 273 days till 30th September in 2019, number of ‘Good’, ‘Satisfactory’ and ‘Moderate’ days were 165 as against 104 in 2016.

Launch of Green crackers

Terming the launch of green fire crackers with green logo and QR coding system on Saturday, a historic initiative, the Minister advised not to burst this Diwali.

However if one chooses to, then opt for the green crackers which is aimed at reducing pollution and health risks, Shri Javadekar said.

Pointing out various efforts undertaken to control pollution, Shri Javadekar stated From today onwards, 46 teams of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) are taking stock of pollution levels in Delhi-NCR and will take appropriate action wherever needed”.

Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways to reduce pollution in Delhi

The creation of Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways, completed at cost of about ₹17000 Cr, will lead to lowering of pollution in Delhi.

Now about 40000 goods vehicles, which are not destined for Delhi, will be diverted away from national capital, leading to reduction in air pollution, sound pollution and other positive impacts.

Delhi metro helps in reducing pollution

Talking of initiatives relating to e-mobility and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation network, Shri Javadekar said, 377 Km of metro lines with 274 stations, is catering to more than 30 lakh passengers daily in an environmentally friendly manner. 

He proudly said that it is one of the best systems of public transport in the world because of which more than 4 lakh vehicles are avoided on roads, thereby, reducing pollution.

The Minister also called upon other States to work unitedly in curbing pollution. 

Delhi producing energy from waste

It was informed that Delhi alone gets 52MW energy from solid waste management and waste compost plant is operational.

The closure of Badarpur Thermal Plant, banning of pet coke and conversion of 2789 Brick kilns in NCR to Zig-Zag technology has also led to reduction of pollution.

Reduction in road and construction and demolition (C&D) dust in Delhi

Various actions have been undertaken by the Government to control road and construction and demolition (C&D) dust.

The best dust management practices from Delhi Metro has led to pollution reduction .

It is reported that presently there is nearly 5 lakh MT waste which is being processed as Recycled Aggregate/Brick base.

Environment experts in the panel of Emergency Manager magazine think that many positive impacts are visible because of various steps taken by government.

However, there is very little actions being taken by public.Pollution is caused by many public activities and it can be controlled by public only.

Government action alone will never deliver desired results unless a public initiative is also launched says disaster management expert Dr Deepak Pandey.

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