[Sebring]

But then crop burning would continue right? That needs to be stopped. All the cities are suffering from same issues, the Government needs to have a vision and 'happiness index'.

Originally Posted by srini1785

I do feel sorry for residents and hope this situation gets better soon, don't you think its time we moved the capital out of delhi?. Give delhi back to its citizens. IMO, it would reduce a lot of population pressure. Create an administrative capital somewhere else. There are many countries who have done that. Australia for example.

[Shreyans_Jain]

Originally Posted by srini1785

I do feel sorry for residents and hope this situation gets better soon, don't you think its time we moved the capital out of delhi?. Give delhi back to its citizens. IMO, it would reduce a lot of population pressure. Create an administrative capital somewhere else. There are many countries who have done that. Australia for example.

What does moving the capital have to do with air quality? Please understand, this is not a Delhi problem as it is made out to be. The situation is the same, whether you see Ludhiana or Agra or Panipat or Muzaffarnagar or Kanpur or Lucknow or Varanasi or Gaya or Patna.... The entire Indo Gangetic belt is chocking. So many towns in UP have worse air quality than Delhi NCR.

Note to mods: Please change the title of the thread from Delhi pollution to North India pollution in line with the spread of the problem.

[Pancham]

Originally Posted by speedfreak01

A view from my shimla hotel room
Attachment 1930504

How is this even a solution. Are you not going to come back to Delhi after 5-6 days. I believe the situation will remain same for the coming few months. So Good Luck.

With the start of odd-even rule today, I did not see any noticeable difference in traffic. I actually thought I will reach office a bit early but it took more than usual time. Also saw many young volunteers (looked like school children) holding placards about "odd-even rule" at every red light.

There is also no change in the AQI. Lets see how the next few days go.

[antz.bin]

I want to see a total ban on crackers in Delhi NCR and other neighbouring districts next Diwali. And, while we target crackers, Wedding processions, New Year parties, T20 World Cup 2020, everything should be covered.

And after banning practically everything, when we still have smog next year alongwith 999 AQI (Reminds me of 3.4 Roentgen radiation at Chernobyl), maybe the authorities will see the light of day and target the real culprits.

From where I see it, Delhi has no hope till 2021. Take it or leave it.

P.S.: I last visited Delhi during the smog days of 2017. Not interested in going through the experience ever again.

[srini1785]

Originally Posted by Sebring

But then crop burning would continue right?

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

What does moving the capital have to do with air quality? Please understand, this is not a Delhi problem as it is made out to be.

Quite understand. I know that it is but wanted to highlight the issues faced by people from Delhi year after year. Crop burning constitutes only 50% of the problem and in a particular time of the year. What about the balance 50%. A city's infra can only support a certain number of residents( read vehicles ) after that its a problem. Look at Jakarta (Indonesia) , they are already planning to move the capital city out since its going under water. Drastic problems, equally drastic solutions.

[r_devakumar]

A nice article on the air pollution issue:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAnSS6rdJCA

Crackers may contribute very minimal to the air pollution (in terms of number of days, it could be hardly a day or two). Banning cracker is not a right decision in my view. Stubble burning which coincides with the stale wind pattern at this period of time is the major culprit.

[ValarMorghulis]

From what I understand, the smog and pollution is due to crop burning and no amount of banning of crackers will alleviate this.

1. This burning of crops is particularly a phenomenon in areas where mostly mechanized farming takes place due to which the crop is cut at a substantially higher height which leaves a good chunk of leftover stalk. This stalk can be removed manually which is a labour intensive process and hence burning them up is much faster and easier for the farmers.

2. In villages and small farms the crops are cut close to the ground since done manually and the leftover stalk is usually turned over in the soil and hence no burning is required


Now the question is: Even if you fine the farmers, what should they do to not burn the stalks? I'm not supporting the farmers, but seriously what's the way out?
The only solution for NCR is to move out the industries and improve public transport by 100 times which is going to take a long time.


North India is in a sorry state.

[sabujsen]

The AQI yesterday was over 1200 in Delhi. Year after year, just around Diwali, the same pollution happens. Gets worse every year. No one cares.

Citizens are happy bursting crackers. Govt. only wakes up when the air is critically severe.
I attribute this as a failure of our Govts and citizens collectively.

Whats the solution?
To have a serious plan to tackle pollution. The Govt has to take strict action and steps to curb this menace.

I think we need a strong independent Pollution Body that can take decisions. Just like the EPA in US. It should have complete authority to take decisions without political interference.

China managed its pollution issue by strongly implementing policy. We should learn from them.

The political slugfest should stop and all state Govts need to work together.

I sincerely hope that Delhi becomes beautiful the way it was many years ago.

[antz.bin]

Originally Posted by sabujsen

I sincerely hope that Delhi becomes beautiful the way it was many years ago.

Do you happen to remember how many years ago? I see that, going so bad has been a recent phenomenon.

[sabujsen]

Originally Posted by antz.bin

Do you happen to remember how many years ago? I see that, going so bad has been a recent phenomenon.

Well I have lived in Delhi for 45 years. The city has been plunging for the past 7 years.

[deehunk]

Originally Posted by NaXal

India needs a decentralisation policy to shift pressure off from Delhi / NCR.

Where else they can shift, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad are getting over crowded every year. Mumbai has suffered the most, roughly 25% of our country has either militant or terrorist activities. How much of Northern India is left for decentralisation? No government speaks about population control, our people neither realise their responsibilities.

[Amit_breakfree]

Originally Posted by deehunk

Where else they can shift, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad are getting over crowded every year. Mumbai has suffered the most, roughly 25% of our country has either militant or terrorist activities. How much of Northern India is left for decentralisation? No government speaks about population control, our people neither realise their responsibilities.

Maybe let's think out of the box then. All the headquarters or offices do not need to be in Delhi. For example - A SAIL (Steel Authority of India) head office can be shifted to a place like Ranchi or Bhubhneshwar as that is the coal belt of India. Similarly, head office of Shipping Corporation can be shifted to Kochi or Vizag or Mumbai. There can be similar other examples.

We do not need to be in physical proximity to get work done nowdays. All the head offices were based out in Delhi earlier as information sharing was easier. Now the same can be done over Skype meeting and other avenues.

Also, the move to shift such offices outside Delhi can also result in reduced pressure on Delhi and an increase in growth rate of such Tier II cities.

Not a very full-proof idea but a food for thought.

Just my 2 cents here. Thanks.

[Pancham]

Ok I could speaking too soon but the odd-even rule might have worked. The high rise buildings near my house are clearly visible today evening and the app shows an AQI ~ 200. It was >1000 yesterday.

[DaptChatterjee]

Originally Posted by Pancham

Ok I could speaking too soon but the odd-even rule might have worked. The high rise buildings near my house are clearly visible today evening and the app shows an AQI ~ 200. It was >1000 yesterday.

We have had reduced pollution levels from morning today (if you compare with the same time periods of last few days). Two main reasons-
1. Moderate winds since Saturday evening
2. Steep decrease in stubble burning cases (mostly over for this year, will be back with a bang in 2020)

IMHO, it's too early to judge the impact of odd-even rule, one way or another.

[TSIVTEC]

I really don't think odd-even rule would work out in a city where a family has more than 2 cars. I remember a friend of mine having 6 cars for a family of 3.