-Abhishek Vij
On Sunday, the Central Air Quality Management Commission took cognizance of Delhi’s environmental pollution and suffocating suffocation. They cited stubble burning as a reason, but it should be noted that Punjab is actively campaigning against stubble burning. This time, efforts have been made to tighten the enforcement of stubble burning. The Commission stated that the current pollution in Delhi is due to stubble burning. In its meeting, the Commission warned the District Magistrates of Ferozepur, Faridkot, Barnala, Bathinda, Patiala, Malerkotla, and Sangrur, asking them to more effectively deploy crop residue management machinery. It also urged police personnel and administrative officials to work together to prevent these incidents. Restrictions were also imposed in Delhi NCR to prevent air pollution. After the implementation of these restrictions, old vehicles were banned, 250 enforcement personnel were deployed, 39 teams were engaged in checking at 13 major toll plazas. Those vehicles were checked where there was suspicion of vehicles being registered with old emission standards. Due to this, long queues of vehicles were formed at many entry points including Delhi-Gurugram and Delhi-Noida border. Those whose vehicles got stuck complained on social media about being stuck in traffic jam for hours. In Delhi-NCR, the government asked the employees to have 50 percent attendance in the offices, the rest will work from home. Now let’s talk about this suffocation. For years, Punjab has been blamed for this. Punjab has been making serious efforts to prevent stubble burning, but stubble burning isn’t the only cause of pollution. A ban on old vehicles on the roads and a half-time attendance in offices were also implemented last year. Why does this suffocating complaint arise every year during this season? The reason is Delhi’s uneven and narrow construction and its excessive population burden. The smoke from firecrackers and the noise of festivals from Dussehra to Diwali also increase this pollution. What is the solution in such a situation? The annual air pollution crisis cannot be stopped by simply blaming Punjab’s stubble burning. Instead of pointless blame, we must seek solutions. In almost every metropolitan city, when the population burden exceeds expectations and more vehicles are on the roads than anticipated, it leads to hours-long traffic jams and pollution increases due to the vehicles’ foul smoke. This problem must be addressed from multiple perspectives; it is not right to always blame Punjab. Why does the campaign against environmental pollution fall short every year? Is it because, while everything is going well, the severity of this problem is not understood. When the situation becomes pressing, the outcry begins? Take Gurugram. A few years ago, it was a town but has now transformed into a metropolis. Without adequate drainage and drainage facilities, even a little rain can flood the entire city. The same situation occurs in Delhi during Diwali. Multiple causes of pollution combine to create problems, causing problems ranging from shortness of breath to asthma. The solution is to honestly implement the government’s declaration of war against pollution. In the pursuit of greater profits, every inch of Delhi is encroached upon. Illegal construction has further narrowed the streets, further reducing the scope for suffocating smoke to escape. Unless the entire situation is evaluated and a comprehensive and comprehensive strategy is developed to address all the contributing factors, these superficial restrictions will prove ineffective.