Tackling pollution

Public transportation in the NCR can make a big difference

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THE DISTINCTION OF being the most polluted national capital region in the world seriously detracts from the ambitions of the ruling dispensation to make India a developed nation by 2047.This really calls for a determined effort to address the problem all year round rather than only during the pollution season in winter. Unfortunately, the policy response addresses only the symptoms of the problem rather than tackling the underlying causes. Thus, if the air quality index crosses certain thresholds, the authorities impose various stages from I to IV of the graded response action plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR). The latest initiative is to adopt measures of higher stages in lower stages: for instance, GRAP stage IV in GRAP stage III which entails a decision on allowing public, municipal, and private offices to work on 50% strength and the rest to work from home. Whether such measures will prevent further deterioration of air quality is debatable as it stubbornly remains in the very poor to severe category. Last Sunday, strong north-westerly wind