Over the last few years air quality index in the national quality has been steadily declining and deteriorating wrecking havoc for ordinary citizens. Prolonged exposure to PM 2.5 may lead to chronic health aliments ranging from shortness of breath for ashthmatic patients or allergy for those with pre existing health conditions.
It in this light both, Delhi and Centre government should wake up to this alarming situation ensuring steps in the right direction mitigating the after effects of air pollution on our physical, mental and physiological being which stands compromised due to the laxity and ineptness of the state machinery and apparatus. Odd and even scheme launched by the Delhi government was a game changer drastically bringing harmful pollutants like PM 2.5 and PM 10 under slight control.
Installation of smog towers at Delhi,s Connaught Place by Delhi Government certainly has but been taken note of. Alas! that’s isn’t going to be enough until and unless systems and process are not brought in place clearly demarcating individual roles and responsibilities. Centre has already snatched whatever little powers Delhi government largely exercised and enjoyed in different domains abruptly brought to a halt after arrests of AAPs Sh. Sanjay Singh and Sh. Manish Sisodia considered backbone of a party picking and plotting it’s priorities and strategies in order to become a credible alternative to mainstream parties. Still, there are miles to go for AAP but with its Delhi model and a resolve for a governance counting everyone along has won it many accolades, appreciation and acknowledgement.
Giving them benefit of doubt, centre diluted the provisions of Delhi service act passing it on the floor of house with bureaucrats reaching out directly to Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Diminishing any prospects of a collaboration and coordination between agencies of Delhi government and centre to begin with ban on construction tasks and activities in areas where AQI is in the very poor category, restriction of commercial vehicles inside Delhi for a said period, granting subsidy on public transport, encouraging more and more plantation can be some of the means and mediums to bring the situation under check.
Awareness sessions and sensitisation campaigns can too seve the purpose for the capital to get a breather rather choking and gasping for clean and clear air turning a distant dream for us staying in our posh and priced condominiums. Luxury too becomes a sin sometimes!