Urgent corrective actions needed to curb pollution

Failure to carry out policy shifts will be highly damaging to public health

Air pollution is choking several cities in the northern states once again, as changes in temperature and slowing winds trap soot, dust and fine particulate matter. The National Capital Region is badly hit, as the burning of agricultural residue in Punjab and Haryana is releasing large volumes of smoke containing, among other pollutants, highly damaging fine particulates, or PM2.5. The problem is aggravated by the burning of urban waste, diesel soot, vehicular exhaust, road and construction dust, and power generation. The Centre and the state governments need to get into crisis mode to dramatically reduce emissions. They must address the burning of carbon, which is a direct source, and emissions with oxides of nitrogen and sulphur from vehicles that turn into fine particulates through atmospheric reactions.

One study of degradation of Delhi's air over a 10-year period beginning 2000 estimated premature mortality to have risen by as much as 60 per cent. An innovative approach could be to use climate change funds to turn farm residues into a resource, using technological options such as converting them into biofuels and fertilisers. From an urban development perspective, large cities should reorient their investments to prioritise public transport, favouring electric mobility. Governments should make the use of personal vehicles in cities less attractive through strict road pricing mechanisms. Sharply escalated deterrent parking fees can be implemented. If governments delay action on the critical issue of pollution control, public pressure must force them to act.