Delhi Pollution | We are living in a 'gas chamber', says environmentalist
Living in what he described as a "gas chamber," Jha criticized the lack of genuine emergency measures, and attributed the situation to mere optics and lip service. He highlighted the inefficacy of executive and law enforcement agencies in curbing pollution, and emphasized that the recent improvement in air quality was more a result of favorable weather conditions than effective governance.
Environmental activist Vimlendu Jha expressed concerns over the escalating pollution levels in Delhi and neighbouring regions. Living in what he described as a "gas chamber," Jha criticized the lack of genuine emergency measures, and attributed the situation to mere optics and lip service.
Jha further lamented the blatant disregard for Supreme Court directives on issues such as firecrackers and farm fires, noting a significant increase in these activities, undermining the court's stance.
In a scathing critique of the current state of affairs, he labeled it an "absolute travesty of governance" and emphasized the need for governments, as custodians of the air, to comprehend the urgency of the situation. He underscored the abnormality of breathing air with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 500, and urged for a collective sense of urgency and political will to address the pressing crisis.
"Governments are custodian of our air, they need to understand the urgency of the situation. It's not normal to breathe air with AQI of 500...need sense of urgency and political will. All states will have to come to the same table and then implement the solution," he said.
He highlighted the inefficacy of executive and law enforcement agencies in curbing pollution, and emphasized that the recent improvement in air quality was more a result of favorable weather conditions than effective governance.
Acknowledging that challenges like stubble burning and vehicular emissions won't cease overnight, Jha called for a collaborative effort from all states to implement comprehensive solutions. He expressed skepticism about the prompt resolution of issues like the shortage of buses in Delhi.
"Stubble burning, vehicular emissions won't stop overnight...Dearth of buses in Delhi won't be solved overnight. We are living in a gas chamber, not seeing any emergency but only optics and lip service," he said.
Further, he recalled the Supreme Court's earlier directive for states and Chief Secretaries to collaborate, expressing hope that the court takes the matter seriously during the upcoming hearing next week.
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