Develop villages to stop cities from getting populated, causing pollution

Air pollution is a major issue in India, especially in the cities, and needs to be addressed the earliest in order to reduce a serious threat to the future generations. As per current data, 51 per cent of air pollution is caused by industrial pollution and 27 per cent by vehicles. A large number of cities in India are in the range of 150-230 AQI (air quality index value) which is beyond the acceptable limits recommended by the World Health Organisation.

It is grouped under 2.5 PM (particulate matter) in summer which is equivalent to Kanpur, the most polluted city in India. A study from the University of Washington suggests that 2.5 PM is unhealthy which triggers respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. There is an increase of premature death and asthma attacks in the last few decades.

As per the paediatricians, a 20 per cent increase in allergies has been found in children. Obesity among people in cities is not only due to junk food, but also lack of the required parks, public gyms and swimming pools and green surroundings. Faulty urban design and planning policy is another cause. Apart from these, the root cause of air pollution is migration of huge populations to the cities.

The Indian government has failed to develop rural communities in order to prevent people from moving to the cities. The huge population growth in cities gives rise to development of business units and industrial growth and adds more vehicles to the city roads, all of which add to the air pollution.

The prime aim of the government to control air pollution should be the development of the rural area rather than the cities. It is found that there is a large transition of professions in rural areas as the traditional professions doesn’t generate adequate incomes in villages. The government needs to provide hospitals, schools, colleges, universities and other necessary facilities in the villages that are usually available in the cities to restrict people from migrating. Providing employment to the people in rural areas is very essential, rather than providing ration and house. Direct provision of ration such as `1 a kg rice will make people more dependant and lazy. This concentrates towards individual development. Providing work at the micro level while providing employment to people will not only benefit the person concerned but also has a multiplying effect.

We must also reduce the frequencies of taking out private vehicles by introducing adequate, comfortable and affordable public transport. Encourage carpool, telecommute and electric vehicles. Vehicles should be kept in good condition and tyre pressure must be checked regularly. Turn off the engine when there is a long wait at the traffic junction. Introduce subsidies for CNG kits in cars and attracting more electric car manufacturing companies to India. Replace fuelbased three-wheelers with battery-powered e-rickshaws. Prohibit the use of diesel vehicles older than 10 years. Start charging extra pollution-tax for every new purchase vehicle. It might slow down the economy in the beginning but later it will pick up.

Government should implement strict environmental rules on erring business firms to reduce wastes and emissions causing air pollution. Encourage green outdoor activities including camping, biking, hiking, paddling, running, climbing, and electric boating. Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for prevention and control of pollution from industries. Provide subsidies to factories that change to green technology in order to reduce their overall pollution levels. As trees filter pollutants, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere, Government must initiate tree plantation on a large scale and encourage common people to do so in their yards individually and in the vicinity as group.

It is necessary to have a proper and regular checking mechanism of industrial emission into the air and pushing techniques to be installed to reduce emissions and limiting the amount of emissions by fixing a value and imposing fines for exceeding the fixed limit. Pollutant firms inside the city limit should be shifted out of the city. Heavy vehicles should not be allowed inside the cities at any time. Separate bus routes for public transport needs to be constructed so that it can travel faster than private vehicles like Ahmedabad city. Separate cycle tracks need to be constructed beside every road. Those who need to go to office at a distance of less than five kms can easily use bicycle to office. Improve road quality as Indian road construction design leaves a lot of loose areas resulting in damage and dust from both ends of the road.

Dr R. Bhuvan Anand;

46, Economist; 2-2-1075/2,

F-201, Laxmi Towers, Tilaknagar, New Nallakunta, Hyderabad500044