Decision makers:
Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
Atishi Marlena, Chief Minister Of Delhi
A. Anbarasu, Chairman, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)
Demands:
Ensure regular monitoring and penalties to prevent open waste burning at all times.
Enforce cleaner fuel usage and expand public transport infrastructure year-round.
Shift from reactive solutions to proactive air quality management throughout the year.
Mandate sustainable construction practices and strict dust control round the year.
Every winter, Delhi transforms into a gas chamber. Air quality plummets, our lungs struggle, and citizens, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues - suffer the most. This year, the situation is no different. The air quality in October has already reached the "very poor" category with AQI levels crossing 363. As the dreaded smog settles, we fear it is only a matter of time before the city hits the "severe" zone.
Measures like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) are only introduced after pollution reaches dangerous levels, offering temporary relief at best [1]. These reactive solutions will not fix the chronic problem. Air pollution must be tackled throughout the year, not just in response to a crisis. What Delhi needs is a proactive approach with comprehensive policies to prevent this public health emergency.
The data is clear and alarming [2]:
12,000 deaths in Delhi alone each year are attributed to air pollution.
India witnessed 2.1 million deaths linked to pollution in 2021.
Respiratory illnesses in Delhi have already risen by 15% ahead of winter.
Delhi’s pollution crisis cannot be solved with short-term fixes. Transitioning to clean energy sources and enforcing strict regulations for industries and vehicles are some of the essential structural reforms needed to ensure breathable air for all citizens. The health and safety of millions is at stake, and temporary solutions are no longer acceptable.
We demand immediate action from the DPCC and the Delhi government to protect our environment, our health, and our future. We must act now - before more damage is done and trust in the system's ability to protect our environment is irreparably lost.
Sources:
2.Revised GRAP from October 1: How the pollution-control plan evolved & what can improve.
3.Delhi air pollution worsens, more areas fall under severe AQI category
4.Delhi air pollution: How open burning is adding fuel to fire
Decision makers:
Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
Atishi Marlena, Chief Minister Of Delhi
A. Anbarasu, Chairman, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)
Demands:
Ensure regular monitoring and penalties to prevent open waste burning at all times.
Enforce cleaner fuel usage and expand public transport infrastructure year-round.
Shift from reactive solutions to proactive air quality management throughout the year.
Mandate sustainable construction practices and strict dust control round the year.
Every winter, Delhi transforms into a gas chamber. Air quality plummets, our lungs struggle, and citizens, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues - suffer the most. This year, the situation is no different. The air quality in October has already reached the "very poor" category with AQI levels crossing 363. As the dreaded smog settles, we fear it is only a matter of time before the city hits the "severe" zone.
Measures like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) are only introduced after pollution reaches dangerous levels, offering temporary relief at best [1]. These reactive solutions will not fix the chronic problem. Air pollution must be tackled throughout the year, not just in response to a crisis. What Delhi needs is a proactive approach with comprehensive policies to prevent this public health emergency.
The data is clear and alarming [2]:
12,000 deaths in Delhi alone each year are attributed to air pollution.
India witnessed 2.1 million deaths linked to pollution in 2021.
Respiratory illnesses in Delhi have already risen by 15% ahead of winter.
Delhi’s pollution crisis cannot be solved with short-term fixes. Transitioning to clean energy sources and enforcing strict regulations for industries and vehicles are some of the essential structural reforms needed to ensure breathable air for all citizens. The health and safety of millions is at stake, and temporary solutions are no longer acceptable.
We demand immediate action from the DPCC and the Delhi government to protect our environment, our health, and our future. We must act now - before more damage is done and trust in the system's ability to protect our environment is irreparably lost.
Sources:
2.Revised GRAP from October 1: How the pollution-control plan evolved & what can improve.
3.Delhi air pollution worsens, more areas fall under severe AQI category
4.Delhi air pollution: How open burning is adding fuel to fire