Air pollution in Delhi-NCR has become the story of every year. The national capital turns into a gas chamber after Diwali and this process continues till February-March. The poisonous gas not only causes serious illnesses, but also causes health problems such as eye irritation, suffocation, and difficulty breathing. What is surprising is that governments make new plans every year and are reprimanded by the Supreme Court for not working adequately on the cancer problem. But the situation remains the same. SC had given a solution to Delhi’s pollution about five years ago, but nothing has changed. The arrangements continue as usual.
This year, there has been a record rise in pollution in Delhi since Diwali. Even after 21 days, the situation is not improving and the air quality index remains in the severe category. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, a thick layer of smog remained in Delhi on Thursday morning. At 7 in the morning the ICA reached 379, which is considered in the very poor category. On Wednesday it was in serious category.
…but the guidelines could not be followed correctly?
In fact, on January 13, 2020, Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Deepak Gupta of the Supreme Court gave the solution to Delhi pollution. The double bench had issued a 56-page order and it gave information on the government’s affidavits and guidelines on pollution. But the irony is that even after almost five years, nothing has changed in Delhi. Critical points were mentioned in relation to air pollution. The Supreme Court also explained the problems of hotspots and solutions to eliminate them. But even today governments have not been able to move in that direction nor have they ensured that the instructions are properly followed. Experts say that if the governments had properly followed the Supreme Court’s guidelines, then perhaps reforming results would have been seen.
The Supreme Court had issued measures to control stubble burning. Construction work was ordered to be prohibited in areas where air quality is serious. He had called for a close watch on polluting vehicles in Delhi and NCR and talked about promoting public transport and removing old vehicles. Emphasis was placed on ensuring greater use of clean energy sources in and around Delhi. In this regard, the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and UP were asked to submit a report on the measures taken within three weeks.
The guidelines that were issued by the Supreme Court?
What should governments do to stop stubble burning?
– A comprehensive plan must be developed to stop stubble burning. The management of crop residues must be prepared, in addition to their use, they must also be used as fertilizer, animal feed and biofuel. A final decision has to be taken on incentives and disincentives of Rs 100 per quintal and in-situ farming. The central government and the state governments of Punjab, Haryana and UP were directed to prepare a comprehensive plan to stop stubble or stubble burning.
– Also aimed at managing crop residues, where it can be used as fertilizer, animal feed and biofuel.
– A plan can be formulated to make harvesters, Happy seeders, hydraulically reversible MB plows, straw choppers, shredders, rotary cutters, no-till seeders, rotavators and especially balers available to marginal farmers free of cost or through nominal rent. It should be available.
– The governments of Delhi and Punjab, Haryana and UP should explain why they should not be fined for the failure of their machinery and the officials concerned should take appropriate measures to prevent stubble burning and other pollution.
What to do with the smog…?
– The Delhi government should install the proposed smog tower at Connaught Place and complete the work within three months. A similar tower should also be set up in Anand Vihar. The Delhi government should provide a 30 x 30 meter space to set up the experimental tower within seven days. This project will be funded by the Central Government and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change will supervise the project.
– ‘Anti’ in Delhi and National Capital Region at large construction sites, expansion of road construction especially during excavation and compaction or compaction, mining activities, large parking lots in raw or unpaved areas and during public gatherings and during demolition activities. A gun must be used.
– The Government of Delhi/NCR Region and the respective Governments of Haryana, UP will submit reports on various hotspots identified and measures taken for their management and to address the environmental hazards posed by such hotspots.
– Anti-Ismog weapons should be used in Delhi and NCR region.
– Pollution Control Boards of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and UP should keep an eye on industrial areas, especially at night, and take strict action against industries emitting black smoke from chimneys. Ensure that industries comply with PM/NOx/Sox norms and standards.
What to do for waste management…
– The governments of Delhi-NCR, UP, Haryana and Rajasthan should identify dumping sites for plastic, industrial and other waste and ensure that the waste is not burned or used for processing. Accumulated waste must be removed in time. The report must be submitted within six weeks.
– Governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and UP will submit status reports on sanctions and action taken against developers for violating norms in relation to construction/demolition activities and also whether any developer was blacklisted.
– A comprehensive plan for waste management must be developed and work must also be done on existing facilities and general needs. Adequate research and development should be carried out in wireless sensor network technology.
What to do for cleaning…
– The Delhi government has said that details on garbage collection are being prepared. Only 55% of the capacity is available regarding garbage generated in Delhi. A comprehensive plan must be prepared within three months to achieve full (100%) waste disposal capacity. Present it to the court.
– The corresponding pollution board must submit a report of action, investigation, etc. regarding vehicles that run on kerosene. Various samples on the quality of water supply in Delhi should be analyzed by the relevant pollution control authorities and the Bureau of Indian Standards in Delhi and submit a report in this regard within a month.
– The State Government should inform about the measures taken by them and the plan prepared by them regarding discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents in various rivers and provision of money for sewage. The treatment plant and existing facilities and requirements must be reported within eight weeks.
For traffic…
-The governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and UP should come up with a plan to resolve the traffic flow problem and comply with the orders passed earlier by this Court in this regard.
– Delhi Municipal Corporation, Government of NCT of Delhi, concerned bodies and Governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and UP will take charge of the potholes and submit a report on action taken within three weeks and also submit a compliance report with respect to your previous instructions and, if applicable. If there is work left, it should be completed in three weeks.
What else did the Supreme Court comment…?
The Supreme Court said that in the affidavit filed by the Delhi government, it mentioned identification of several critical points. The court considered that the problem of farmers with stubble burning is the short interval between two crops, so farmers engage in stubble burning. We have seen satellite images of Punjab where more stubble has been burnt than Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh in previous years’ records. We have seen that the entire apparatus involved in the administration should be held responsible for such acts. Especially considering that this problem is not new and has been going on for a long time and the authorities have not been able to find any solution to it.
The court said this has a negative effect on the administration. Your laziness is clearly visible for not taking proper measures on time and not preparing any plan to avoid it. In these circumstances, we have issued instructions to the Chief Secretaries of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and NCT Delhi. This court has directed all officials, including panchayats and administrative officials concerned, that stubble should not be burnt.
The court said that some lawyers have also pointed out the fallacy of the odd-even scheme as it was implemented in cars which contribute three per cent of the pollution and also account for 28% of the pollution from vehicles and then almost 50 % of cars circulating. in Delhi. In those days there were even or odd numbers. That is why it was said that this is not a solution. We have also asked for some information in this regard.
