This week, principal secretary to PM P.K. Mishra evaluated the ‘readiness of stakeholders’ in tackling ‘deteriorating air quality’ in Delhi-NCR.
A day later, Supreme Court demanded answers from Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on alleged stubble-burning cases, pressing them to outline steps to hold accountable those responsible.
Meanwhile, Delhi claimed that twice as many pollution sources come from outside the city, and made its yearly call for central assistance.
Haryana announced a winter action plan, which includes identifying and repairing major roads, mechanised cleaning and curbing stubble burning. Punjab has ‘committed’ to eliminate the issue. Deja vu seems to be in the air.
So, is northern India actually getting battle-ready for winter pollution? Outside the sudden optics, doesn’t look it. Only if the meteorology is favourable, and citizens forgo their ‘usual’ Diwali fireworks, will we not stare down the barrel of yet another breathless winter. This is especially disheartening given years of pollution promises from both states and Centre.One reason for the lack of a united response is the failure to build an overarching, airshed-focused plan, despite NCAP and CAQM acknowledging its need.
As a 2023 CPR report, ‘Regulating Air Quality at An Airshed Level in India’, correctly proposes, urgent systemic reforms that adopt an airshed-level – geographical area where pollutants are trapped due to local topography, meteorology and climate approach – and facilitate inter-state regional cooperation are essential.