The problem of pollution in Delhi is not showing signs of decreasing. All efforts to clean the air of the capital seem to be failing. A new research says that if Delhi re-implements the rules adopted during the Covid-19 lockdown, it can meet the national air quality standard by 2040.
Research has shown that achieving this goal is possible if concrete action is taken. In this research titled (40 by 2040: Cost of inaction and delays in reaching Delhis air quality target), the PM2.5 levels of Delhi for 36 years from 1989 to 2025 have been analyzed.
This has been done by researchers from ‘Urban Emissions’, an organization working for the environment. Their research found that the national standard of 40 µg/m³ set by Delhi Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) can be achieved by reducing emissions by 55 percent from all anthropogenic sources, reducing heating emissions by 75 percent in winter and reducing stubble burning by 100 percent.
It may be possible due to Covid lockdown
The study highlights that the COVID-19 lockdown has set a benchmark of what can be achieved technologically. Only two sectors were not affected during the lockdown, winter heating and stubble burning. This proves that if strict and coordinated control is imposed on other activities of the city, then a huge reduction in pollution can be achieved. After research, implementing this rule has now become an emergency need.
The challenge is more to implement than the policies.
The report clearly states that Delhi’s pollution continues to be at an average of 100 µg/m³, which is 2.5 times the national standard and 20 times the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This problem is not due to lack of policies or scientific information, but due to the delay in their implementation.
Research claims that if every plan of the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) 2019 had been implemented properly, Delhi could have achieved the clean air target even before 2040.
If this continues then the public will pay a heavy price
The researcher has underlined two main risks. This shows that if no action is taken soon regarding pollution, then the public will have to pay a heavy price.
Data show that if Delhi reaches the level of 60 µg/m³ instead of 40 µg/m³ by 2040, 11.6 percent more people will be exposed to the harmful effects of pollution than if the target is achieved, and if the pollution level remains at 100 µg/m³, this figure will increase to more than 35.3 percent. That means, for every 100 health impact cases, 35 additional cases will be reported.
Covid like action needed
Research shows that just as swift and drastic lockdowns were implemented to tackle the Covid pandemic, similar urgency and drastic measures are now required to tackle the silent health emergency of air pollution. Delay means playing with the health and lives of millions of people.
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