In the video, when the person recording is the man, where is he from? He replies, "I am from Pakistan". Then, in a series of questions, he explains how he took multiple plane rides to get to the country. A Pakistani man living in Ireland has recently become the center of a viral storm on social
Delhi pollution is like ‘slow poison’, government must be held accountable: Congress
The Congress on Saturday said that Delhi's escalating air pollution was like “slow poison” and that the government must be held accountable on the matter.
Party leader Sandeep Dikshit said an MP-level committee should be considered to coordinate action, warning that residents were suffering while the Punjab and Delhi governments were exchanging political accusations.
The Aam Aadmi Party is in power in Punjab, while the Bharatiya Janata Party is at the helm of the Delhi government.
Dikshit, addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters, noted that doctors have said that air pollution in Delhi reduces the life of an average person by 6 to 7 years, and that the risk is even greater for those suffering from diseases.
The Congress leader said Delhi's air quality had deteriorated to such an extent that “the city is no longer worth living in”.
Dikshit argued that while stubble burning and festive firecrackers contributed only marginally and seasonally, the biggest source of air pollution was year-round vehicular emissions, which he estimated contributed to “around 30 to 45%” of the pollution.
Also read: Delhi's failure to act against the biggest source of its air pollution – vehicles
He said increasing congestion and deteriorating road conditions had slowed down traffic compared with the years when Delhi was developing. Public transport, particularly buses, had “collapsed”, he claimed, adding that the number of private vehicles had risen even as metro expansion had stalled.
“Another major cause of pollution is industrial pollution, which uses dirty fuel,” the Congress leader added. “Illegal factories in Delhi cannot operate without the connivance of the MCD, police, and politicians.”
He also said garbage burning and the decline of proper waste-segregation systems were further aggravating factors.
“Previously, dustbins were installed in many places in Delhi, where waste was kept separately,” he said. “The people of Delhi participated enthusiastically in this, but now everything is gone.”
“Money should be invested on road infrastructure, bus system, and the metro,” he added. “You will get enough time to do populist politics – if governments spend all funds for giving things free, there will not be finances for basic facilities.”
On Sunday, Delhi's average Air Quality Index stood at 269, categorised as “poor”, showed the Sameer application, which provides hourly updates published by the Central Pollution Control Board, at 11.05 am.
An index value between 0 and 50 indicates “good” air quality, between 51 and 100 indicates “satisfactory” air quality and between 101 and 200 indicates “moderate” air quality. As the index value increases further, air quality deteriorates. A value of 201 and 300 means “poor” air quality, while between 301 and 400 indicates “very poor” air.
Between 401 and 450 indicates “severe” air pollution, while anything above the 450 threshold is termed “severe plus”. An Air Quality Index in the “severe” category signifies hazardous pollution levels that can pose serious risks even to healthy individuals.
Air quality deteriorates sharply in the winter months in Delhi, which is often ranked the world's most polluted capital.
Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, along with the lighting of firecrackers during Diwali, vehicular pollution, falling temperatures, decreased wind speeds and emissions from industries and coal-fired plants contribute to the problem.
Delhi has been recording air quality in the “poor” or worse categories since mid-October, leading to Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan being imposed on November 11.
On Wednesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management withdrew the Stage 3 restrictions, citing improved air quality. The restrictions under the GRAP 1 and GRAP 2 remain in force.
Also read: What the air-pollution advisory from India's health ministry hides
Source: Scroll
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In the video, when the person recording is the man, where is he from? He replies, "I am from Pakistan". Then, in a series of questions, he explains how he took multiple plane rides to get to the country. A Pakistani man living in Ireland has recently become the center of a viral storm on social
2 months ago
