NEW DELHI – Schools were closed indefinitely and some coal-fired power plants closed as India’s capital was blanketed in smog and neighboring states introduced harsh measures on Wednesday in the context that New Delhi is considering closing down to combat worsening air pollution.
India’s highest court is weighing in on containment – a first in the country aimed at preventing pollution and not controlling coronavirus infections.
It’s unclear how far things will go, but the New Delhi government has shown a willingness to impose an emergency lockdown over the weekend, similar to what it has done during the pandemic. It is currently awaiting a Supreme Court decision, which could arrive as early as November 24.
The government is discussing whether it will keep industries open, and some experts say an embargo will do little to control pollution and cause disruption. economy and affect the livelihoods of millions of people.
“This is not the solution we are looking for, because this is extremely difficult. And we also have to remember that the economy is already under a lot of pressure, the poor are at risk,” said Anumita Roychowdhury. , said the executive director at the Center. for Science and Environment, a research and advocacy organization in New Delhi.
Even then, soaring pollution levels in the capital prompted a federal Environment Department panel to issue strict guidelines Tuesday night to stem the pollution and show residents that The government is taking action to control the environmental crisis that has plagued the capital for years.
In addition to closing schools, the Air Quality Management Commission ordered construction activities to stop until November 21 and banned trucks carrying non-essential goods. The panel also directed states to “encourage” work from home for half of all employees in all private offices.
Despite some improvement in the air over New Delhi over the past two days, readings for hazardous particles on Wednesday remained seven times the safe level, to above 300 micrograms per cubic meter in some parts of the country. city.
The World Health Organization assigns a safe level for small, toxic particles to 25.
Forecasters warn air quality will deteriorate ahead of cold winds next week that could blow away the smog.
Earlier this month, the air quality fell to “severe” in the capital and residents faced severe pollution that lasted for days. It issued a stark warning last week from India’s Supreme Court, which ordered federal and state governments to take “imminent and urgent” measures to address what This country is called a crisis.
Out of many Indian cities, New Delhi tops this list every year. The crisis is exacerbated especially in winter when the burning of crop residues in neighboring states coincides with colder temperatures trapping deadly smoke. That smoke reached New Delhi, leading to increased pollution in the city of more than 20 million people.
Emissions from industries without pollution control technology, pollution from festival-related firecrackers, and construction dust also increase sharply during the winter months.
Several studies have estimated that more than one million Indians die each year from diseases related to air pollution.
The capital often experimented with limiting the number of cars on the road to reduce vehicle emissions, using large smoke guns and halting construction. But the steps have had little effect.
People say the government is not doing enough.
Suresh Chand Jain, a shop owner in New Delhi, said the government should introduce stricter regulations to limit car use and control the burning of crop residues in neighboring states, which are dangerous gases. This emissions contributes greatly to the poor air quality of the capital.
“Closing the city won’t end the pollution,” Jain said.
Experts say such emergency measures do not help in the long run.
“These are done just to make sure you don’t worsen the situation when you’re shaving. But it’s not a silver bullet that will just clean the air right away,” says Roychowdhury.
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