Opinion Delhi government has done well to prepare for pollution. It needs to frame long-term solutions
Express View: The Delhi government claims a 40 per cent reduction in pollution over the last nine years. But the fact also is that the plans have been found wanting several times in this period when meteorological conditions turn unfavourable.
Delhi's latest plan indicates that people could be at the mercy of emergency measures even this year. (Express File Photo) 
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On Sunday, the Delhi government began implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to check the city’s notorious winter pollution. Like the past seven years, the plan is a combination of preventive and punitive measures. The plan indicates a welcome awareness of the need to collaborate with Punjab and Haryana to check stubble burning.
But the mere expression of intent will not be enough. A coordination mechanism between Delhi and its neighbouring states to make sure that the air in the region doesn’t turn foul during the winters has been in the works for far too long. Delhi’s latest plan indicates that people could be at the mercy of emergency measures even this year.
Last year, the Commission for Air Quality Management underlined the need for a round-the-clock air quality monitoring network in the NCR. It stated that for NCR districts, the CPCB and state pollution control boards need to identify new sites to monitor pollution.
But as a report in this paper, last week, pointed out, half of these stations in the region are in Delhi. Going by the CPCB’s list, at least nine of the monitoring units do not work. Only 20 of the 65 manual monitoring stations have the capacity to keep a continuous track of PM 2.5. Going ahead, NCR governments will have to identify monitoring shadow areas and plug the gaps.
The Delhi government claims its policies have led to 40 per cent reduction in pollution since 2015. It’s right to an extent. But the fact also is that the plans have been found wanting several times when meteorological conditions turned unfavourable. Last year, Delhi experienced its cleanest Diwali in seven years, largely because winds blowing at 6-7 km/h prevented the accumulation of pollutants.
In less than four days, any hope of the smog not keeping its date with the capital was belied. Less than two months later, in early January this year, Delhi’s residents were breathing toxic air again. Like in the past two years, the Delhi government has done well to frame its action plan at the beginning of the season. This early start must now be used to frame long-term solutions.
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