The whole city has the sorrow on its face
The condition of the heart is the condition of Delhi.
confusion, suffocation, despair, heat, curb, longing
It's so crowded that it's hard to even breathe.
Famous poet Malikzada Manzoor Ahmed may have written this couplet out of a feeling of love, but the condition of Delhi described in the couplet is a mirror of the poisonous atmosphere of the city. The air of Delhi has become so suffocating that it has become difficult for people to even breathe. Breathing Delhi's air is equivalent to smoking 30 to 40 cigarettes every day.
The level of pollution has reached dangerous level from serious category. After the AQI scale crossed 400, Grape-4 had to be implemented in Delhi. Under this, schools have been closed and people have been advised to stay indoors. Such conditions occur in Delhi for many years with the onset of winter. According to the Air Quality Life Index, the lifespan of the people of Delhi is decreasing by 10 years due to pollution, yet no government is ready to take responsibility for it.
So in this situation, can lockdown alone eliminate Delhi's pollution? This question is because when the lockdown was imposed during the Corona period, among all its other disadvantages, one thing was very good for nature. There was almost no pollution in the air and the entire atmosphere. Due to the lockdown, there was a huge reduction in not only air but also water and noise pollution. But that was the pandemic crisis, will it be easy to implement lockdown in such circumstances? We tried to understand this question from experts?
During the lockdown, Delhi saw the sight of clean air and blue sky. For example, in the first 21 days of the lockdown in 2020, PM 2.5 levels in Anand Vihar dropped from three hundred to 101. But the question arises whether lockdown can be a permanent solution to stop pollution?
Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, Founder of Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals It is said that lockdown may bring a temporary decline in pollution, but it is not a solution, on top of that its biggest impact falls on the poor, as was seen during the Covid lockdown. He gives the example of Britain's Great Smog (1950), where 12,000 people died due to pollution, but no lockdown was imposed. Instead the British government took concrete steps. He believes that Delhi will also have to show similar political resolve against pollution.
Shamit Gupta, Medical Director of Amritdhara Hospital, Karnal. Also agrees with Shuchin Bajaj. He says that even lockdown will not end problems like stubble burning, which contributes about 35% to Delhi's pollution. Apart from this, factors like smoke from vehicles, construction work, and stagnant air also increase pollution.
It has to be known that in which city which sector i.e. transport, power, construction etc. is spreading how much pollution. Unless targets are set keeping these nuances in mind, air cannot be made breathable.
Dr. Bajaj and Dr. Gupta believe that the solution to the problem is possible only through comprehensive and concrete steps.
promote public transportation
Public transport infrastructure will have to be improved. Better and accessible transportation will reduce the use of private vehicles, which will reduce air pollution. There should be provision for strict fines and punishment for those who spread pollution.
ban on stubble burning
The government can prevent farmers from being forced to burn stubble. For this, steps like purchasing stubble or giving other options can be taken.
Emphasis on electric vehicles
Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles will have to be strengthened so that people reduce the use of petrol and diesel vehicles. The public will have to be made aware of the health hazards caused by pollution and the importance of the environment.
political will needed
Dr. Bajaj says that Delhi can overcome pollution like London, but it requires political determination and serious efforts. Air pollution will have to be made an election issue, so that it can be given priority. Unless the government, public, and experts take concrete steps together, this problem will persist.
Shuchin Bajaj gave the example of China's capital Beijing. He said that about 10 years ago the AQI level in Beijing, China had crossed 100. But in 2013, China made a big plan to deal with air pollution and by the year 2022, Beijing's AQI came down to 30. Shuchin Bajaj says that when its neighboring country can improve AQI then why not India?
If Delhi wants clean air, it has to go a long way. Lockdown can only be a temporary solution but the real solution is possible only through sustainable steps.
According to a recent global study published in the Lancet Neurology journal, air pollution is a major cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This is a kind of brainstroke. It has been found that air pollution is responsible for about 14% of deaths and disability due to subarachnoid hemorrhage in the year 2021.
Dr. Shamit Gupta It is said that air pollution has many adverse effects on our health. Breathing in pollution weakens the lungs. Pollution starts accumulating in the lungs, due to which they start shrinking. Polluted air contains PM 2.5 particles. When these particles enter the body through breath, they reach every organ along with oxygen.
Then they damage every organ and try to spread cancer. Increases the risk of heart diseases. Like heart attack, weakening of heart. Liver and kidneys are also affected by polluted air. Therefore the age of people keeps decreasing.
