However, posturing of the Centre, the State, the Supreme Court and the ruling political establishments on the issues have always been great. Very grandiloquent generating great hope among citizens, which is ultimately frustrated. Air quality was severe on November 14 in 30 of 36 monitoring stations, with an average AQI 418. Anand Vihar recorded severe plus AQI 473, and in some places it was reaching severe plus, such as at AIIMS, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

Authorities and ruling political establishments hide their failure behind blame game, and just make defective legal provisions, that too remain unimplemented and thereby ineffective. For example, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) came out with a set of guidelines in 2017, that is popularly known as GRAP. The Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been entrusted with the responsibility for implementing the plan.

Delhi turning into gas chamber today clearly shows that the Action Plan is not effective, whatsoever the reasons may be. It demands revamping the GRAP, and implementing it strictly and on time. There is also a need to take strong action against those who violate the provisions. There must not be only blame game. There must not be any eyewash.

Eyewash was even pointed out by the Supreme Court of India only a few weeks ago on October 23, when almost all weather-monitoring stations were fallen into red zone with many areas moving into severe air pollution. Supreme Court of India had pulled up the Centre for framing ‘toothless’ environmental laws, apart from criticizing Haryana and Punjab for failing to control stubble burning, which is one of the chief causes of yearly worsening of air pollution in Delhi.

The toothless laws were framed only to show that the government was working. However, the reality was otherwise. The Supreme Court had pointed out that the laws were enacted without creating required machinery for implementation. At that time the city was place under GRAP-II measures, though Delhi have clearly fallen into Stage III of severe air quality.

Chief Secretaries of Haryana and Punjab were also present in the Supreme Court that has dismissed their submission for making efforts to control stubble burning as “mere eyewash”. Looking at the ground level situation one can easily perceive how the Centre, Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana governments and the political ruling establishments there are more interested in eyewash than taking effective actions, on various other violations that lead to severe and severe plus air pollution.

Supreme Court of India have been threatening of actions against them all, but who cares? It is business as usual. Every government claim taking action and blaming for deterioration of air pollution level on others. People, and everybody seem to be helpless. Pollution turning worse and only a favourable weather – wind or rain – can give respite to the people.

Though is some places, air pollution has reaches severe plus stage-4 that requires GRAP-4 level response, Delhi government has put the city under GRAP-3 measures. Under GRAP-3, all private construction and demolition work is banned, along with non-essential mining operations. This aims to reduce pollution from dust.

Delhi metro will be operating 20 additional trips in addition to the 40 trips already in place. It aims to reduce vehicular pollution on road. Public transport is being promoted, and BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles are restricted from the roads.

To save school children from pollution, all primary schools has been closed and classes were being held online.

These are some of the key measures taken to tackle severe air pollution in Delhi, but such measures are also not new, since GRAP measures are being implemented since 2017. If in the last 7 years the measures failed to control air pollution, we can’t wholly rely on it now.

We need to find out the real reasons behind the pollution, and the reasons of failure of all our laws and action plans. Mere eyewash is not enough. We need concrete action and no blame game. Every ruling establishment need to be made accountable.

Ruling BJP at the Centre has been blaming ruling AAP government in Delhi for uncontrolled pollution in Delhi. Additionally, AAP is ruling Punjab, and BJP is ruling Haryana. All the four are responsible for Delhi pollution and hence blame game is in full display between the BJP and AAP.

When has the Modi government spoken on pollution? Pollution doesn’t see religion. People need solutions not election rhetorics, says AAP, adding Delhi’s environment minister has been writing letters to Union Government for meetings and action. The Central government need to define measurable targets and work with state governments.

BJP on the other hand has slammed AAP government in Delhi and alleged AAP has been playing with the citizen’s health, and not tackling internal pollution sources, apart from stubble burning in Punjab. However, BJP does not mention Haryana’s stubble burning also responsible for Delhi pollution since BJP rules there. (IPA Service)