Not just vehicles

Stopping well-maintained vehicles from running is neither just nor ethical, nor practical. Throwing away the hard-earned money of thousands of people is unwarranted since, as brought out, the vehicles are not the sole cause of pollution. To address the pollution crisis effectively, it is imperative to acknowledge and holistically tackle the myriad contributing factors

- SS SAXENA

According to the latest analysis from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Delhi has once again topped the charts as the most polluted city in India during the winter months of October 2024 to February 2025. This alarming trend extends to the National Capital Region (NCR), with Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram, and Dadri also ranking among the most polluted cities. Shockingly, ten additional cities across India have similarly failed to meet the daily National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), highlighting a nationwide crisis that demands urgent attention.

Despite years of interventions, the pollution crisis in India has only worsened. In 2015, the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered a ban on 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in NCR, holding auto emissions as the main cause of air pollution. However, this measure has provided no respite. Each year, as winter approaches, pollution levels soar, triggering alarm bells and prompting authorities to implement the usual, repetitive knee-jerk measures.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is hastily enforced depending on the air quality being "poor," "very poor," or "severe." Authorities restrict diesel vehicles, enforce odd-even schemes, or close schools, assuming these actions will drastically reduce pollution levels. Ultimately, with hardly any relief from such measures, we look for Mother Nature's winds or rains to cleanse the air.

Endless debates ensue, courts issue warnings, and experts suggest new policies, but significant results remain elusive, perhaps doing everything to just buy time. We get upset and angry but eventually get busy with other problems, concluding the issue is part of our fate.