|THE DEN|
The Supreme court of India thrashed both centre and the Delhi government regarding the deteriorating air quality in the Capital which was under “severe” level after Diwali and stubble burning i.e, AQI between 400 - 500, which is pathetic! SC queried, “How to control air pollution in Delhi, two day lockdown, if need be, or what. How will people live in Delhi?” Further asked, “Where is the effective mechanism to control firecrackers, vehicular pollution?” The Apex court emphasised that the air pollution issue should be looked into “beyond politics and governments”.
The Supreme court of India thrashed both centre and the Delhi government regarding the deteriorating air quality in the Capital which was under “severe” level after Diwali and stubble burning i.e, AQI between 400 - 500, which is pathetic! SC queried, “How to control air pollution in Delhi, two day lockdown, if need be, or what. How will people live in Delhi?” Further asked, “Where is the effective mechanism to control firecrackers, vehicular pollution?” The Apex court emphasised that the air pollution issue should be looked into “beyond politics and governments”.
“Two-day lockdown or something”
CJI NV Ramana suggested a two-day lockdown to bring down the pollution levels. Since Court observed that the situation is just so bad that people have to wear masks in their houses and it has become fashion to bash farmers but we can not blame the farmers solely considering, stubble burning causes 40% of air pollution but what about that 60% caused by vehicles, firecrackers, industries & dust.
Whose fault? Every year in the months of October and November suddenly Delhi starts to think about pollution. Yes, it’s the fact that during these days AQI rises up to severe levels but shall we always wait for the situation to get worse? After all, Delhiites already know that Delhi’s air pollution crisis is perennial and not seasonal. National capital is on the brink of an emergency, it’s never been a good quality air but poor so what is that we are waiting for? We all need to understand that air can’t be bought in a supermarket.
Even after the ban on firecrackers, we all witnessed what happened on Diwali. What is the meaning of Prohibition if nobody follows it and who follows it, if nobody is looking after it. Moreover, the prank that Delhi government pulls out every year on its citizens to install smog towers and emission control projects has just remained a prank.
On the other hand there is no logic to impose lockdown, we just have started our lives after being in a year-long lockdown and no one is prepared for that loss again we faced during that time. Additionally, a two-day lockdown is nothing but to make a fool of the environment because surely AQI will go down to poor from severe level which again will make us settle up with poor quality air.
Not for two or three days but the government has to think up a proper plan. Along with that we all need to realise how ruined we are and should come forward to get a solution otherwise this will continue to ravage us.