AFP Published November 1, 2024
A security personnel rides past the India gate amid smoggy conditions after Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in New Delhi on Nov 1, 2024. — Arun Sankar/AFP
India’s capital New Delhi was wreathed in poisonous smog Friday, with air pollution worsening after a fireworks ban was widely flouted for raucous celebrations for the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali.
New Delhi’s traffic-clogged streets are home to more than 30 million people, and the city is regularly ranked as one of the most polluted urban areas on the planet.
The city is blanketed in cancer-causing acrid smog each year, primarily blamed on stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring regions to clear their fields for ploughing, as well as factories and traffic fumes.
But air worsened Friday after a thunderous night of firecrackers lit as part of Diwali celebrations, despite city authorities last month banning their sale and use.
‘Stilted response’
City police had seized nearly two tonnes of fireworks before Diwali, but the crackers remained readily available for sale in neighbouring states.
Many residents celebrated at home, holding a family meal and lighting small candles in praise of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and symbolising the victory of light over darkness.
Others launched firework rockets and booming crackers, rocking the densely packed city throughout the night.
India’s capital New Delhi was wreathed in poisonous smog Friday, with air pollution worsening after a fireworks ban was widely flouted for raucous celebrations for the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali.
New Delhi’s traffic-clogged streets are home to more than 30 million people, and the city is regularly ranked as one of the most polluted urban areas on the planet.
The city is blanketed in cancer-causing acrid smog each year, primarily blamed on stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring regions to clear their fields for ploughing, as well as factories and traffic fumes.
But air worsened Friday after a thunderous night of firecrackers lit as part of Diwali celebrations, despite city authorities last month banning their sale and use.
‘Stilted response’
City police had seized nearly two tonnes of fireworks before Diwali, but the crackers remained readily available for sale in neighbouring states.
Many residents celebrated at home, holding a family meal and lighting small candles in praise of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and symbolising the victory of light over darkness.
Others launched firework rockets and booming crackers, rocking the densely packed city throughout the night.
Revellers light fireworks during the celebrations to mark Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in New Delhi on Oct 31, 2024. — Sajjad Hussain/AFP
Police are often reluctant to act against violators, given the strong religious sentiments attached to the crackers by Hindu devotees.
Critics say arguments between rival politicians heading neighbouring states — as well as between central and state-level authorities — have compounded the problem.
India’s Supreme Court last month ruled that clean air was a fundamental human right, ordering both the central government and state-level authorities to take action.
“Delhi’s toxic air is killing us softly with its smog,” the Times of India wrote in an editorial last week, as the winter pollution returned.
“It is nothing new, but what doesn’t cease to amaze, year after year, is the state’s stilted response.”
Critics say arguments between rival politicians heading neighbouring states — as well as between central and state-level authorities — have compounded the problem.
India’s Supreme Court last month ruled that clean air was a fundamental human right, ordering both the central government and state-level authorities to take action.
“Delhi’s toxic air is killing us softly with its smog,” the Times of India wrote in an editorial last week, as the winter pollution returned.
“It is nothing new, but what doesn’t cease to amaze, year after year, is the state’s stilted response.”
‘Lack of resolve’
Levels of fine particulate matter — dangerous microparticles known as PM2.5 pollutants that enter the bloodstream through the lungs — surged to more than 23 times the World Health Organisation recommended daily maximum.
Soon after dawn, pollutant levels topped 345 micrograms per cubic metre, according to monitoring firm IQAir, which listed air in the sprawling megacity as “hazardous”.
It rated New Delhi as worst in the world, just above smoke-choked Lahore, 400 kilometres (250 miles) to the northwest.
A cyclist wearing a mask gestures near the India gate amid smoggy conditions after Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in New Delhi on Nov 1, 2024. — Arun Sankar/AFP
The New Delhi government has previously sought to cut pollution by restricting vehicle traffic, including a scheme that only allowed cars with odd or even number licence plates to travel on alternate days.
Authorities have also imposed seasonal bans on construction work and on diesel-powered vehicles from entering the city.
“The gravity of the problem is such that incremental changes are insufficient,” The Indian Express wrote, criticising “an unfortunate lack of resolve from both the centre and state governments. “
Authorities have also imposed seasonal bans on construction work and on diesel-powered vehicles from entering the city.
“The gravity of the problem is such that incremental changes are insufficient,” The Indian Express wrote, criticising “an unfortunate lack of resolve from both the centre and state governments. “
Shared crisis
DAWN
Editorial
Editorial
Published November 1, 2024
WITH Lahore experiencing unprecedented levels of smog, the Punjab government has announced a series of “green lockdowns” in the city’s identified smog hotspots. These measures include limiting construction, banning open-air barbecues, restricting high-emission vehicles, and mandating early closures for marriage halls. While such actions reflect commendable intent, air quality experts argue they fall short, especially given Lahore’s recent AQI readings, which peaked at 708. The WHO recommended maximum for healthy air is 50. The situation poses grave respiratory and cardiovascular risks to vulnerable populations, besides causing reduced productivity. The chief minister’s appeal for cross-border cooperation with Indian Punjab offers a pragmatic approach. Pollutant-carrying winds know no borders and collaboration is essential to address this shared crisis. Both sides must implement stricter emission controls and engage in joint monitoring efforts to better manage smog.
Crop stubble burning exacerbates this challenge. Despite fines and arrests of farmers on both sides of the border, limited field-clearing alternatives force many to continue this practice. Efforts by India to subsidise residue management machinery like super-seeders are a step forward, yet the outreach and affordability of these options are inadequate. Real, sustainable support for farmers is necessary, encompassing access to affordable equipment, training, and incentives. Moreover, the government should focus on building a robust network of air quality monitoring stations, especially given the inconsistencies in current AQI reporting. Expanding Lahore’s green cover through more urban forests would also play a significant role in combating air pollution long-term. Additionally, accelerating the transition to clean energy, subsidising EVs, and enhancing public transport could make substantial differences. At the same time, an extensive public awareness campaign on reducing individual contributions to smog — such as minimising the use of private vehicles and avoiding open-air fires — can bolster efforts in tackling the threat. Only unified action can lift the smog choking our future.
Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2024
WITH Lahore experiencing unprecedented levels of smog, the Punjab government has announced a series of “green lockdowns” in the city’s identified smog hotspots. These measures include limiting construction, banning open-air barbecues, restricting high-emission vehicles, and mandating early closures for marriage halls. While such actions reflect commendable intent, air quality experts argue they fall short, especially given Lahore’s recent AQI readings, which peaked at 708. The WHO recommended maximum for healthy air is 50. The situation poses grave respiratory and cardiovascular risks to vulnerable populations, besides causing reduced productivity. The chief minister’s appeal for cross-border cooperation with Indian Punjab offers a pragmatic approach. Pollutant-carrying winds know no borders and collaboration is essential to address this shared crisis. Both sides must implement stricter emission controls and engage in joint monitoring efforts to better manage smog.
Crop stubble burning exacerbates this challenge. Despite fines and arrests of farmers on both sides of the border, limited field-clearing alternatives force many to continue this practice. Efforts by India to subsidise residue management machinery like super-seeders are a step forward, yet the outreach and affordability of these options are inadequate. Real, sustainable support for farmers is necessary, encompassing access to affordable equipment, training, and incentives. Moreover, the government should focus on building a robust network of air quality monitoring stations, especially given the inconsistencies in current AQI reporting. Expanding Lahore’s green cover through more urban forests would also play a significant role in combating air pollution long-term. Additionally, accelerating the transition to clean energy, subsidising EVs, and enhancing public transport could make substantial differences. At the same time, an extensive public awareness campaign on reducing individual contributions to smog — such as minimising the use of private vehicles and avoiding open-air fires — can bolster efforts in tackling the threat. Only unified action can lift the smog choking our future.
Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2024
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