Everyone knows that Diwali comes every year. Diwali is also celebrated in Delhi. Every year around Diwali, pollution in Delhi rises beyond dangerous levels. And along with Delhi, it covers almost the entire National Capital Region.
But the system addresses pollution in Delhi as if it were a natural disaster. It seems as if there is a continuous effort throughout the year to find an opportunity in a sponsored disaster, and the need to take advantage of the opportunity does not appear until the contamination becomes serious.
The question is why does this happen every year? Why is such a situation allowed to happen every year, when everything is already known, and the most important question is whether next year the Delhi government will celebrate pollution as enthusiastically as ever?
Why are there no precautionary measures against pollution?
All the measures that have been taken to control the pollution could have been taken only as a precautionary measure. No new arrangements have been made.
Why does it seem like every year a government circular is issued changing the date? And then orders are also issued for schools and universities. Restrictions are imposed on the movement of some vehicles, and after a few days everything returns to normal, in a “arrival at the beginning of next year” mode.
An average AQI of 481 was recorded in Delhi on the morning of November 18. In fact, pollution in Delhi has remained at a very dangerous level for a week. As per the report, AQI 495 has been recorded in areas like Ashok Vihar and Bawana, and not just in Delhi, the entire NCR is covered in smog due to pollution.
In view of the situation, CAQM i.e. Commission for Air Quality Management has implemented the fourth phase of GRAP 4 i.e. Phased Response Action Plan in Delhi-NCR from 8 am on November 18, 2024.
On behalf of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, it has been said that once GRAP 4 is implemented, all classes except 10th and 12th will be online for all students. This agreement will remain in force until further notice.
GRAP 4 is considered the strictest measure to address air pollution. In 2023 this system was also implemented for 14 days. And when the AQI level dropped, GRAP 4 restrictions were removed, but instructions were given to keep GRAP 3 in effect until the air remained clean. GRAP 4 was also implemented in the winter of 2022-23, but only for 3 days.
When the local administration imposes Article 144 to address law and order issues, then why these anti-pollution measures cannot be implemented as a precautionary measure remains a big question.
And this is the situation when assembly elections will soon be held in Delhi. Next year there will be no electoral pressure.
Will the situation remain the same next year?
At least on pollution, there can be no dispute between the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi and the BJP governments at the Centre. Even during the Corona period, when the Delhi government surrendered, the central government took over and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also came to the fore. At that time, the then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came forward and praised how the situation could be handled; was able to learn all this first hand.
It is Arvind Kejriwal who, when he was Chief Minister, kept avoiding crime cases saying that the Delhi Police did not report to him. Even during the 2020 Delhi riots, questions were raised about the role of Arvind Kejriwal, who sat at home during the riots.
The Chief Minister’s name has definitely changed in Delhi, but everything remains the same. Anyway, what will be the situation when the government is governed from the next chair?
Like Covid, it can be assumed that there will be no shortage of support from the Central Government to the Delhi Government on pollution. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena also cannot be accused of hampering the work.
If the Delhi government and the central government, drawing on the lessons of the past, find a solution together, and if precautionary measures are put in place before this situation occurs again next year, then the people of Delhi will be able to get relief from breathing air poisonous.
Now, Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal cannot say that pollution has increased this year because he and some of his colleagues were sent to prison at the behest of the BJP.
Will pollution in Delhi also have to be tolerated as an incurable pain? After all, for how long will the government continue to shy away in the name of Diwali and stubble?
