New Delhi: I have been living in Delhi for over 20 years now. It is really unfortunate that currently Delhi’s air is the most toxic in the world due to high concentration of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 that is believed to pose the greatest health risk because it penetrates deeply into lungs.
I normally use masks when I go out, particularly when I jog in the morning. I do not like wearing a mask in the office though the air quality inside is no better. Like me, both my wife and five-year-old daughter wear masks when they venture out. Also I have installed air purifiers in my house for the sake of my family’s health.
I personally feel every Indian city faces the problem of air pollution, but Delhi’s situation is aggravated by lack of sea breeze. Also in a way, it is like bad ‘karma’ catching up with Delhi, where the government has done precious little to restrict the sale of diesel vehicles. On the contrary, they have made owning such private cars cheap. As the government now mulls banning diesel cabs but not private diesel cars, it is symptomatic of the general malaise that afflicts Indian bureaucracy. It is high time diesel vehicles are phased out and replaced with CNG.
Even the odd-even policy, which was recently enforced by the Delhi government, failed miserably. Many knew the policy would have hardly any or little impact on the PM 2.5 level.
People need to be aware of this and compel the government to take emergency steps. But sadly Delhiites do not find time enough to care for their own living and that makes the ruling government ignore the massive threat of worsening air quality.
