Delhi-NCR's air pollution is emerging as a serious health crisis, causing increasing concern among both residents and experts. While measures like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) have been implemented to curb the deteriorating air quality, the situation seems to be worsening, with numerous unintended consequences arising from the steps taken.
GRAP, implemented in 2017 under Supreme Court guidance, is a set of measures designed to address the smog and hazardous air conditions during critical periods, particularly in winter. However, experts and environmentalists argue that while GRAP might have provided some short-term relief, it is proving to be a limited solution to a much larger, systemic problem, reports The Economic Times.
The challenges posed by air pollution in the city go beyond just air quality. The economic impact of pollution is significant, with health-related costs rising dramatically. Only last week GRAP-4, the strictest level of the graded response action plan, was implemented as the AQI for the Delhi-NCR region had crossed the 400 mark, indicating 'severe' air quality.
One of the mandated moves under GRAP is the ban on construction, which has turned out to be a major issue. While intended to reduce dust pollution, it halts important public works like road repairs, increasing congestion and pollution. It also impacts thousands of daily wage labourers who lose income.
A report by ToI suggests a potential solution to this is mandating green construction practices rather than outright bans, similar to China's approach - making environmentally sustainable buildings a standard by 2027.
Another issue is traffic barricades, which are set up to catch polluting vehicles. They often lead to significant traffic jams, which in turn increase emissions. Critics suggest a more effective solution would be to implement a system that identifies and penalizes banned vehicles using CCTV cameras or by sending notifications to vehicle owners via phone.
Additionally, the report said that the collection points for the Green Tax at Delhi's entry points create major bottlenecks. Expanding RFID-based contactless systems and establishing dedicated vehicle lanes could help alleviate this problem.
Anti-smog guns that are deployed to settle dust have turned out to cause traffic obstructions during peak hours. Experts suggest that these guns should be used during off-peak times and focus on long-term dust control.
In the coming years, experts believe that Delhi’s pollution crisis will continue to be a major challenge unless there is an effective policy implementation and improved public cooperation.
A report by ToI citing Anumita RoyChowdhury, Executive Director, CSE, said, “GRAP measures are short-term emergency responses, not long-term solutions. The city needs year-round actions like fleet electrification, better public transport, green construction technology, and effective waste management to eliminate the need for GRAP.”
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