Delhi dangerous air quality levels The present levels of air quality in Delhi are dangerously low, raising alarm bells. The children and elderly, asthmatics have to bear the brunt. Respiratory diseases, heart problems, eye diseases etc have galloped by leaps and bounds. The health costs are terrifying and cosmetic measures like air masks, internal purifiers,limiting external activities, school breaks, spraying of water ,monitoring instruments, odd and even four wheelers and include two wheelers too, may help to some extent . Politicians defiance and paying fines in protest is mockery of the attempts by Govt in place. People are migrating out of Delhi too in large numbers as long term measures.The sources of pollution are internal and external .Delhi believes that stubble burning greatly aggravates the situation, but neighbouring states are in total denial and fail to take deterrent measures , in spite of court directives.The Centre and states keep on passing the buck to get political mileage. The Centre has provided machines to handle stubble burning, but it is totally inadequate and needs immediate augmentations, The environmental Ministry has not called the meetings of concerned parties to deal with the situation allowing it to feater. The P.M in this vital issue must take a call, because it affects the citizens health in general ,Crop rotation must be considered to reduce the impact during these crucial months .The weather in November. December. is playing truant, raising levels to unbelievable levels .Transport is definitely a great contributor to pollution to the extent 28%. The electric buses are still awaited in numbers required; The diesel fuel is another culprit. The dust from buildings adds to these causes .Internal burnings of wastes
cannot be controlled at micro levels .Hence industry, general public, Govt agencies must work untidily It is unfortunate that Parliamentary committee had to be cancelled due to lack of quorum, as only four out of 28 members present. Many M.P`s MLA`s across parties were not too keen to attend ,occupied as they were with more mundane acts elsewhere .No quick fix solution are possible and the efforts must be consistent round the year, with long term plans. The monitoring authority is vital must be of non political activists, and technical persons. It could release monthly measures adopted. and strictly monitor the implementations of specific targets with better co ordination. Could a Green party make debut in political horizon to take measures at higher levels and more seriously. Apart from Delhi other Indian cities are also equally bad ,as far as air quality is concerned, but that is no satisfaction to dilute Delhi problems. Delhi is trying its best to control internal sources , but it is external sources that are serious cause of concern and beyond its scope, The efforts of China and measures adopted by it need a closer look in applications of effectiveness At the moment the buck is passed, as predominantly a State subject to portray AAP in Delhi in bad light to earn political mileage and politicians squabbling or resorting to blame game at the drop of hat, while people suffer Nelson Lopes Chinchinim