New Delhi: Delhi-NCR is grappling with ‘Very Poor’ to ‘Poor’ air quality, with an AQI ranging from 221 to 341. This is despite the implementation of a 15-point winter action plan and initiatives like the ‘Red Light on, Gaadi off’ campaign. The main contributors to the high pollution levels are vehicular emissions and biomass burning.
The air quality in Delhi-NCR has been a cause for concern for many years. The region is home to over 20 million people, and the rapid urbanization and industrialization have taken a toll on the environment. The high pollution levels have led to a number of health problems, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and cancer.
The Delhi government has taken a number of steps to try to improve the air quality, but these efforts have had limited success. The 15-point winter action plan includes measures such as banning construction and demolition activities, restricting the use of diesel generators, and increasing the number of buses and metro trains. However, these measures have not been enough to bring the AQI below safe levels.
Meanwhile, the stubble-burning incidents in Punjab crossed 1,000 for the first time this season on October 30, 2023, contributing to the pollution load in Delhi NCR. This is a significant increase from the previous season, when there were only 700 stubble-burning incidents reported in the same time period.
Stubble burning is the practice of setting fire to the leftover crop residue after harvesting. It is a common practice in Punjab and other parts of India, as it is a cheap and easy way to clear fields for the next crop. However, stubble burning is a major source of air pollution and air quality deteriorator for Delhi. It has been linked to a number of health problems, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and cancer.
The increase in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab is a worrying trend. It is likely due to a number of factors, including the early arrival of winter, the high cost of alternative methods of crop residue management, and the lack of enforcement of laws against stubble burning.
The Punjab government has taken a number of steps to try to reduce stubble burning, including providing subsidies to farmers for alternative methods of crop residue management and increasing the number of teams to monitor and enforce the ban on stubble burning. However, these measures have not been enough to prevent the increase in stubble burning incidents.