Air pollution in Delhi puts Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Cricket World Cup match at risk
IndependentNOV 11 2023
Vehicular emissions and farm stubble-burning in neighboring states have engulf the Indian capital region in a toxic smog, leaving air quality 50 times worse than what the WHO considers safe and forcing authorities to impose stage 4 of a graded response action plan (GRAP-4).India's national capital region was engulfed in toxic smog on Monday, with air quality 50 times worse than what the World Health Organization (WHO) considers safe.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi reportedly called the situation "a medical emergency" as visibility dropped to 100 metres and Swiss group IQAir ranked New Delhi the world's most polluted city. Authorities have shut down schools and halted construction.New Delhi's Chief Minister Atishi reportedly called the situation "a medical emergency" as visibility dropped to 100 meters and Swiss group IQAir ranked India's capital the world's most polluted city.
Government data placed Delhi's average air quality index at 457—beyond the “severe plus”—with its levels of carcinogenic PM2.5 pollutants in the air touching 921 micrograms per cubic metre on Monday in the city of 20-30M people.According to government data, New Delhi's average air quality index was 457 on Monday, and the levels of carcinogenic PM2.5 pollutants in the air touched 921 micrograms per cubic meter.
TheThis Delhiannual smogcatastrophe crisis, driven primarily by unchecked stubble burning, underscores the failure of both state and central governments to tackle this annual catastrophe. While political blame games rage on, government inaction has left the majority of sanctioned bio-compressed gas plants non-functional. Short-term measures like vehicle rationing offer scant relief. ExpertsSustainable stress that sustainable solutions, such as processing farm waste, are essential. YetHowever, a broader inability to prioritize long-term action over rhetoric and political expediency mars any progress.
BlamingThe farmers for Delhi’s smog iscrisis bothunderscores simplisticthe andfailure unfair.of Studiesboth showstate stubbleand burningcentral contributesgovernments onlyto atackle fractionthis ofannual thecatastrophe. city’sWhile pollution,political whileblame vehiculargames emissionsrage on, particularlygovernment frominaction SUVs,has constructionleft dust,the andmajority industrialof wastesanctioned arebio-compressed fargas greaterplants culpritsnon-functional. Yet,Short-term punitive measures disproportionatelylike targetvehicle farmers,rationing ignoringoffer theirscant lackrelief. ofSustainable viablesolutions, alternativessuch andas theprocessing systemicfarm failureswaste, toare address their concernsessential. MeanwhileHowever, urbana affluence,broader symbolizedinability byto gasprioritize long-guzzlingterm SUVsaction andover uncheckedrhetoric industrialand activity,political continuesexpediency tomars poison the airprogress.
Blaming farmers for Delhi’'s persistent smog crisis is aboth glaringsimplistic indictmentand ofunfair. systemicStudies governmentalshow apathy.stubble Insteadburning ofcontributes addressingonly roota issues—suchfraction asof economicthe barrierscity's for farmerspollution, fragmentedwhile governancevehicular emissions, andmainly inadequatefrom yeargas-roundguzzling pollutionSUVs, controls—politiciansconstruction deflect blamedust, prioritizingand agendasindustrial overwaste publicare health.far Unlikegreater Beijing’sculprits. coordinatedYet, andpunitive sustainedmeasures actiondisproportionately againsttarget pollutionfarmers, Delhi’signoring responsetheir remainslack miredof inviable inactionalternatives and politicalthe infighting,systemic leavingfailures millions to sufferaddress avoidabletheir harmconcerns.
ThereDelhi's persistent smog crisis is a 50%glaring chanceindictment thatof ansystemic anthropogenicgovernmental disasterapathy. willInstead happenof inaddressing Chinaroot beforeissues one— happenssuch as economic barriers for farmers, fragmented governance, and inadequate year-round pollution controls — politicians deflect blame, prioritizing agendas over public health. Unlike Beijing's coordinated and sustained action against pollution, Delhi's response remains mired in Indiainaction and political infighting, accordingleaving millions to thesuffer Metaculusavoidable prediction communityharm.
Delhi's persistent smog crisis is a glaring indictment of systemic governmental apathy. Instead of addressing root issues — including fragmented governance and inadequate year-round pollution controls — politicians deflect blame, prioritizing agendas over public health. Unlike Beijing's coordinated and sustained action against pollution, Delhi's response remains mired in inaction and political infighting, leaving millions to suffer avoidable harm.