Delhi’s residents have grown weary of seeing the same cyclical measures rolled out every year, only to face worsening air quality.
Delhi’s air pollution crisis is a deeply entrenched issue that demands more than just symbolic measures. It requires a fundamental shift in policy, governance and public behavior.
The repeated implementation of the odd-even vehicle restriction scheme serves as a glaring example of the authorities’ inability to tackle the city’s pollution problem with any level of sustained, meaningful impact. While the initiative might appear to offer a temporary solution, it ultimately underscores the failure of short-term strategies to address the systemic causes of the crisis.
The odd-even scheme, which allows cars with odd and even-numbered license plates to drive on alternate days, was last implemented in November 2023, with the Delhi administration claiming that it would reduce congestion and improve air quality.
However, the limited scope of this measure fails to significantly alter the broader trajectory of air pollution in the city. The reduction in traffic flow is momentary, offering little more than a temporary respite while the pollution levels continue to rise from other, more persistent sources.
The tendency to place the blame for Delhi’s air pollution on external factors, such as the burning of crop residue in neighboring states, is equally problematic. While crop residue burning (CRB) contributes to the overall pollution levels during the winter months, other local sources—such as vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants and construction dust—are far more significant culprits. This oversight diverts attention from the critical local interventions required, leaving the city mired in a cycle of ineffective quick fixes.
It is evident that short-term measures like the odd-even system do little to address the root causes of pollution. Delhi’s pollution crisis is deeply multifaceted, shaped by a complex web of factors including traffic emissions, industrial pollutants, dust from construction sites and the burning of waste including garbage and stubble. These are not problems that can be solved with occasional vehicle restrictions or firecracker bans.
A comprehensive approach is the need of the hour. Expanding and improving public transportation could be a game-changer, helping reduce the city’s reliance on private vehicles and mitigating vehicular emissions. A robust, affordable and well-connected public transport system—spanning metro lines, buses and efficient last-mile connectivity—would not only reduce congestion but also decrease the number of vehicles contributing to the pollution.
Moreover, enhancing industrial regulations with stricter emission standards, regular monitoring, and penalties for violations would help curb the pollution generated by factories and construction sites.
One particularly overlooked contributor to Delhi’s poor air quality is construction dust. This problem is often neglected, yet its impact on particulate matter levels cannot be ignored. By enforcing dust suppression measures such as the use of water sprays and debris management, the city can significantly reduce one of the most hazardous forms of pollution.
Further, the rampant burning of waste, especially plastics and biomass, continues to pollute the air. Strengthening waste management infrastructure and promoting recycling and composting can help reduce the need for open burning. Community education and government regulation around waste disposal can play a vital role in curbing this problem.
What’s more troubling is the rising public frustration with the government’s inability to provide long-term solutions. Delhi’s residents have grown weary of seeing the same cyclical measures rolled out every year, only to face worsening air quality. These measures, such as the odd-even rule, are mere momentary solutions that fail to address the underlying issues. The public’s disenchantment reflects the increasing impatience with temporary fixes that offer no substantial change to the city’s air quality.
The city’s air pollution crisis cannot be solved with half-hearted initiatives. The temporary solutions like the odd-even scheme only create the illusion of action while failing to tackle the root causes of pollution. What’s more, blaming external sources, such as farmers burning stubble, is a convenient but incomplete excuse. It is time for authorities to turn their focus inward and deal with local pollution sources that are within their control.
The government must confront its institutional shortcomings head-on. A comprehensive, long-term strategy that addresses the full spectrum of pollution sources is crucial for any real improvement. Policy interventions must be based on scientific evidence, and communication around pollution must be transparent, honest and proactive. Only by involving local communities, experts and stakeholders in this effort can Delhi hope to breathe cleaner air in the future.
Delhi’s air pollution problem is not a seasonal nuisance; it is a year-round health crisis. The city requires a well-planned, holistic strategy that goes beyond superficial fixes. Only through a sustained, coordinated approach that tackles every aspect of pollution—from transport emissions and industrial pollutants to construction dust and waste burning—can Delhi begin to reverse the damage and offer its residents the clean, breathable air they deserve.
Simi Garewal writers about the cultural and economic developments of South Asia as well as the global trend of climate change. She is a member of Global Affairs Writers’ Association.
OpEd Column Syndication 