Air pollution is the major cause of concern in India, predominantly Delhi and the NCR region. According to the global Environment Performance Index (EPI) 2018, India is ranked at 177, with Delhi being the most heavily polluted capital city in the world. Throughout the year or year before, the air quality index in Delhi has been worst. Such a situation is impacting the people of the city with the biggest threat to their health and welfare. The air quality management commission for Delhi-NCR and nearby areas had a meeting and Chief Secretaries of NCR states and Central ministries senior officials have issued mandatory actions to take to tackle the situation. The pollution level in Delhi has raised to an alarming level and the air quality has become from ‘severe’ to ‘very poor.

Earlier Supreme court lashed out at the Delhi government for not taking the necessary steps to handle the air pollution crisis. The Court asked the Modi government to hold an urgent meeting with the secretaries of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. In the affidavit, the governments of these states have mentioned these necessary steps to be taken:

• The Centre suggested a ban on the entry of all trucks in Delhi except vehicles carrying essential goods.
• In the affidavit, the Centre suggested the closure of all schools in Delhi but online classes will be allowed.
• On the possibility of increasing the supply of CNG buses, the Delhi government told SC that they will increase metro and bus services. The process to hire 1,000 private CNG buses to increase the public transport in Delhi will begin today.
• The Council for Punjab government told SC that though the state doesn’t fall under the NCR region but has taken measures.
• Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said that the construction and demolition work will remain banned till November 21 in Delhi. Government officials will be doing 100% work from home till November 21.
• The transport department has handed over 10-year-old diesel vehicles and petrol vehicles over 15-year-old. The movement of these vehicles will be stopped.
• Water sprinklers will be stationed at 13 hotspots. These water machines will come from the fire brigade.

Causes of air pollution in Delhi

• Delhi has a huge number of vehicles on the roads, despite metro rails connecting far ends of the city. Due to vehicle population, the problem of traffic congestion occurs that gives rise to air and noise pollution.
• The Environmental Engineering Research Institute has reported that almost 8,000 m tonnes of solid waste are generated every day resulting in the accumulation of garbage in the city.
• Unplanned and unorganized development of industries and factories in the residential area make the environment polluted, studies have shown that only 20% of industries and factories are set up in the designated area.
• Lack of technical innovation to treat solid, and liquid waste from the industries and hospitals lead to improper accumulation of infectious waste.

The air pollution situation in Delhi needs immediate intervention, the political parties have planned to deal with the problem but they have to be vigilant and ensure these plans are implemented not just been said.