Delhiites gasping for breath

Delhi air quality has gone down an all-time low. It shoots up to 451 on the scale where the maximum level is 500. The inhaling of Delhi air in the morning is equal to smoking 50 cigarettes. It is detrimental to healthy individuals and those who suffer from breathing, heart and throat problem. As per the IMA, this is a public health emergency as the city has practically turned into a gas chamber. When Delhiites woke up in the morning today, it seemed as if the city were shrouded in a thick blanket of smog with the visibility level very low and pollution level crossing all danger limits. Air quality in the capital is getting worse and worse and pollution level in the city reached to 451. All India Medical Association has rightly declared a public health emergency in Delhi. The situation is very grave and disturbing. Supreme Court mandated Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has recommended the four-time increase in Parking fee and rationalizing the Metro Fare. It is time for the Central, Delhi, environment activists and the common Delhiites to make aware the people of the impending danger of pollution. The immediate need of the hour for the govt. in Delhi is to take emergency measures to meet the emergency situation. The rising level of pollution is posing a great threat to the health of the school going children in the morning. The pollution in the morning is inhaled by them profusely and that causes lungs and other throat related diseases. The worsening condition of pollution may cause health problems for healthy people. Those people who suffer from Cardiovascular and heart diseases have to be away from this type of polluted environment. This is not the first time that the Delhiites have experienced this thick cover of smog. It is a regular phenomenon for them. The Delhi Govt. must deal stringently with the people who violate norms meant for keeping pollution in check by using diesel generators all the time at their shops, offices and residences. The petrol run vehicles must be regulated in the city and the burning of stubble by the farmer in NCR and neighbouring states to clear the field be stopped. To deal with the problem of rising pollution effectively, the Govt. must introduce and well-managed and comfortable public transports on the road the number of the round of Metro every minute should also be increased. Delhiites would continue to experience worsening condition. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, high moisture level in the air has trapped emission from local sources and hanging low over the city in the absence of wind. A 'severe' Air Quality Index comes with the warning that air affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. The CPCB also recorded 'severe' air quality in the neighbouring Noida and Ghaziabad. Due to smog-like condition, the visibility early in the morning remained low, causing problems in rail and flight movement. The Supreme Court mandated green body Environment Pollution ( Prevention and Control) Authority- EPCA has recommended a four-times hike in parking fee and reduction of metro fares during off-peak hours to tackle the severe air quality in Delhi- NCR. The Committee met in New Delhi in the backdrop of worsening air quality in the region and announced a series of measures under the Graded Response Action Plan. The measures also include complete closure of brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers across the region till further notice.