THE REASON BEHIND DELHI'S SMOG IS NOT JUST VEHICULAR EMISSIONS?

NEVER IGNORE POLLUTION AS IT WILL NEVER IGNORE TO AFFECT US

INTRODUCTION

                  Delhi, India’s capital territory, is a massive metropolitan area in the country’s north center. Delhi has a population of over 18.98 Million while it covers only a small area of 1484 sq.km. It is the third largest city in the world. It is also the second largest metropolis after Mumbai. The National Capital Territory comprise nine districts, 158 villages and 62 towns. Being the Capital of India, Delhi is the centre stage of all political activities. Each year Delhi draw a huge number of tourists. The sites of interest are categorized in three areas. First, the British government buildings, Second, all the historical monuments, third, some great religious places. Some of the worth visiting places are – India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s tomb, Jama Masjid, Jantar Mantra, Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Birla Mandir, Lotus Temple etc. Delhi Tourist and Transportation Development Corporation Limited conducts city sightseeing and excursion tours. 

CURRENT CRISIS

                      According to the global Environment Performance Index (EPI) 2018, India has reached a rank of 177, slipped 36 ranks from the year 2016, and it is disheartening to hear that Delhi, the national capital of the country, is being tagged as one of the most heavily polluted cities in the world. It is the world’s worst city for air pollution.

                                 

The Air Quality of Delhi has worsened than ever before

                                          

Thus, today, one of the biggest threats to the welfare of the people of Delhi and the city as a whole is pollution of various types. The pressure and haphazard growth of the population is deteriorating the environment.  It has also been reported that the number of vehicles plying on the roads of Delhi is more than that of the three metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai taken together. The Air Quality Index of Delhi clearly shows that the main pollutant for the smog is PM10 particles which has reached an alarming level of 583 which is termed as HAZARDOUS. Canada, which is termed to have the pure air quality, has a PM10 level of just 1.

A pie chart displaying the reasons for increased PM10 level in the Capital

The actual reason for the increased PM10 level in Delhi is mainly due to road dust from adjacent cities. This is due to the unpaved roads in those cities. Also, the increased vehicles and the recent Diwali celebrations have worsened its situation like never before. PM10 stands for Particulate Matter which is of 10 micrometers in diameter (10 power -6m). 

This has impacted the practice session for the first T20 match between India and Bangladesh on 3rd November 2019 as the Bangladesh team’s coaches and players have been spotted wearing masks during the practice session. The Smog was the reason for the cancellation of Asian Games in 2014 which was about to held in Delhi.

SOLUTIONS

It is the responsibility of each individuals to reduce the pollution. People can take up public transports for their workplaces and schools. Also, the government should patch up the unpaved roads in the nearby districts of Delhi. 

WHEN WE CAN TAKE ACTION, WE MUST DO IT