In good old days, say, early Nineties we had slow but steady vehicles of all types(125 types on Delhi roads alone) and mind boggling pollution from thermal power plants. Very old diesel trucks and buses would pollute more than taking care of carriage.But things appeared somewhat “under some degree of control.”
Change,coupled with strict directions and monitoring by the Supreme Court together with introduction of CNG from 1997,-98 onwards could harbinger some sense,awareness,fear as also compliance of Motor vehicle rules and Regulations. Further liberalized set up in respect of FDI and SUV’s did go on to add to the Woes,at the same time.
Linking of 4 to 6 to 8 lanes of National Highways and onset of Expressways ,however, raised fresh concerns from road safety point of view. Imagine,taking bold steps in a scenario infamous for road rage at the drop of hat !.
Looked as if Executive had abdicated its responsibility and thereby Judiciary had no option but to enter the fray in “Public Interest”.
Water Pollution closely followed up Air Pollution
2) Present scary number of over 75 lakh vehicles in Delhi would shake anybody’s sane sense.Other three metros also did not lag behind.
Shall we say that rivers,rivulets,lakes,ponds were also getting polluted ? But Not to the present extent.At least there was less of reporting or awareness regarding a SLOW POISON like this.
Mind Boggling Expenditure
3) Crores of Rupees have been sanctioned and spent under PLAN & Non Plan Heads on Not crossing the threshold limits in both crucial spheres.
But each year during the PEAK time,we are caught “off guard” ,atleast in NCR due to very high density of population,rapid & unthinkable and unaesthetic constructions, fast depletion of water sources, untimely and erratic release of Yamuna water by the neighbouring Haryana Government ,consistent rise in visible pollution of any water body and gradual lowering of ground water tables.
4) Are we Concerned, OR Alarmed ?
Not as much alertness or advance preparation is resorted to , as it should be..
Rapid Expansion of Corona virus leading to Covid-19 since February 2020 should have given us an useful lesson and opportunity on both Air & Water Prevention and control measures but we began well,went for 1st Lock Down for 68 days all of a sudden,followed again by its second version of 54 days.However,the development of our own two vaccines and neat and clean measures pertaining to air and water pollution control measures did make some difference. SKY would appear azure blue,for a change.
Free or Discounted Diversion of Vaccines
5) Had we not diverted vaccines to 89 countries based on”Freebie” and differential pricing policy , we would have perhaps reached the target of vaccinating entire adult population by November 2021 and all of them by second dose also ,say, by August / Septmber ,2022.
However,while being back to crucial ,& focussed area of Corona prevention and control regime, we need to acknowledge fully and pat our doctors and para medics as also ASHA & Anganwadi workers and helpers together with other identified and recognized frontliners.
While we saw many ups And Downs,sometimes by applying Trial & Error methods on Covid front, by and large, water pollution & containment measures have got sidelined if not neglected,altogether.It should have been contested or fought against both in equal measures.
Doubts regarding Reporting by States.
6 ) When more than 4.60 lakh Covid casualties has taken place, pan India, we are still having teething problems in some states besides a sort of attempt to undermine the real success stories in some major states both during first and second waves.Reporting from Assam,Mizoram,W.Bengal and Bihar and lately Kerala,remains a GREY AREA.
But for the advent of COWIN ,data reporting,
,tabulation and analysis methods would have been manipulated, further leading to faulty planning as also construction and fabrication devices.
So let us hope for a slightly bright scenario by August or September,2022.
Pollution and Landslides
7)But on air pollution domain we had the worst scenario in the last 5 years, atleast concerning NCR in particular and entire North,possibly with exception of J&K ,H.P. and Uttarakhand.
Last named state has seen,nevertheless, more natural calamities during the calendar year 2021 than ever in the past.Many precious lives And properties could have been saved in Uttarakhand if the state government had not signed MoU’s with hundreds of hydel companies for erecting plants in fragile and precarious zones..Another major blunder by Arunachal,Uttara Khand and Sikkim were expansion of existing plants and undertaking and augmentation of water supply schemes together with large scale village connectivity works, widening of existing main roads ,supposedly for religious and adventure tourism purposes under the directions of “THE TOP.”
8) All these three states have rather fragile ecology and that they have survived in general due to less population density and relatively low level of industrial activity.
Still we donot seem to be very late in these states from Environment conservation perspective.Situation can be salvaged, that’s my considered view.
9) Air pollution too is under control so far in the named hilly states as compared to the NCR or two” prosperous”states of Punjab and Haryana.
We donot wish to hint at the same time, towards the MESS on the agricultural and Drugs control fronts in these two states.
10) Shall we not resist the temptation of pinpointing Stubble or Parrali burning therein which is a major threat to air pollution scenario in the whole of NCR,atleast in the last 5 to 6 years.The talk of PUSA “developed” mechanical device to suppress the stubble then and there and turn these residues into manure for the next round of crop continues to BE MOSTLY ON PAPER .
.O YES, unthinkable and irritating P.R. measures are always undertaken.
Clear Sky,Distant or Uncertain ?
11),Going by the present aurhentic indications, thick SMOG over NCR since the Diwali day may not disappear prior to first week of February 2022.
Imagine from worst possible AQI of 990 on 4th November to a partial decline upto 400 or so by 6th November to again rise upto 536 at Anand Vihar,Delhi on 10th November, the state of Hazardousness CONTINUES.
But we are still in debating and discussing MODE.
Such a casual approach also pertaining to water pollution prevention and control measures are going TO BE NOT only unsustainable from health viewpoint but these would be detrimental equally to the needs and aspirations of future generations.
Concerted & Focussed Action Round The Year By All
12)Let there be concerted action plans both regarding air and water pollution side by side with adequate prevention measures against further rise in Covid and Dengue cases or any other kind of Viral fever. Systematic work without any Break should be our motto.
States have to support Centre in all respects and people too have to make their viable contributions.
Celebration of Diwali should reflect simplicity, peace of mind and a fellow feeling ,rather than show of wealth, shift towards reflection of road rage or aggressive behaviour. Also inhaling of toxic air for days together was never thought of or expected.
It is a matter of grave concern that no perceptible change is noticed even subsequent to special campaigns and drives
How many of concerned and sustainable development minded citizens REFRAIN from having additional houses or the vehicles or A.C’s ?
To hit the current Bull or Target directly, Eco friendly and relatively cost effective harvesting machines or devices, such as,Turbo H.Feeders will have to be introduced in the farm driven states during October-November.
Compulsory compliance of orders relating to fixed periodicity of vehicles in all the metros together with re- introduction of odd and even number system may work again in general public interest.
Also there is an urgent need to stop the nefarious sell of “targetted” vehicles in other states.A pollution generator will continue to be so till finally taken off.
Equal emphasis has to be given for revival of fast deteriorating water bodies together with visible ban on vegetable cultivation along the polluted and vulnerable river banks,
As regards pollution of any kind,.the Executive Magistrates and the area Police officers may have to be actually taken to task in case of unusual practices ,rather than routine Warnings or transfers.
About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.
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