The govt should strictly adhere to the apex court’s ruling on Diwali: Delhi becoming a gas chamber warn EPCA

The environmental pollution in the capital city Delhi has become extremely worrisome. Delhi is again likely to become a gas chamber as Deepawali is approaching near and the increasing stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana emanating toxic gases are likely to fill the environment of Delhi as there are predictions that from November 1 onwards the wind current from these states is likely to gush up towards the capital city creating tremendous health problems particularly for people suffering from various respiratory ailments, lungs infection, astamatic problems and cardiological disorders.

Despite the central n state ban on stubble burning in the adjoining states of Haryana and Punjab and imposition of excessive fine the process is continuing irrespective of any fear of the legal deterrent.

As per the latest news report of the apex court’s appointed body EPCA ( Environmental pollution, Prevention and Control Authority) the condition of the air quality and the environment is extremely worrisome in Delhi with the possibilty of the toxic stubble burning gases arriving in the capital in the first week of November compounded with the toxic gases likely to emanate from millions of tons of fire crackers in and around Delhi on November 7, the Day of Deepavali.

Delhi is already under the grip of polluting air, due to excessive emissions from millions of air conditioners, CNG, petrol and diesal vehicles and the construction dust pollution as well. About more than 80 lakhs – four , three and two wheelers including thousands of trucks and bus pass and ply on the Delhi roads daily already creating tremendous environmental hazards to the life of its residents especially childrens and people suffering from various lungs and cardilogical disorders.

Added to it, the polluted air alongwith toxic gases likely to arrive in Delhi after first November will make the capital city a gas chamber as said the Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejrival a year ago.

The worsening quality of Delhi air especially during the winter season in November is the worst phase for Delhites n residents of NCR as during this month, last year on November 9, the Air Quality Index was 486.

This is considered to be more than maximum and the Delhi government had to shut schools and also declare health emergency.

While the Supreme Court has issued strict orders confining the fire cracking limit to just two hours from 8 to 10 P.M. on Deepawali day it remains to be seen how seriously and severely does the Delhi police and other law enforcing agencies try to implement the court directives.

It has usually been observed that the people themselves are so irresponsible and non serious on the issue of pollution control that instead of exercising restraints they show their money power and burn more fire crackers thus vitiating the environment of Delhi and playing with the health of the people.

Now enough is enough the Delhi police should form petrol parties in larger numbers in all the districts of Delhi and ensure that the supreme court directives are implemented in toto by punishing the guilty and sending across a strong message of deterrence. The ministry of environment and the governments of Haryana and Punjab n of other states as well, should also give up the vote politics and implement the anti stubble burning laws strictly to save the environmemt and peoples’ health.

But, there is a general public opinion which has never been adhered to or respected by the incumbent governments and that is in addition to the passing of stricter laws and directives to exercise restraint in the timings of Deepawali, the govt should actually come out with a strong legislation for the closure of the firecracker factories in the country, if not fully at least partially so that the root cause of the poision or desease is hit than implementing laws non seriously bringing no concrete outcome.

If these fire crackers factories would be closed, hundreds of thousands of children and poor people inhaling toxic substances and suffering from various forms of cancers will also be relived of this life taking profession.

But the government should also ensure that all the poor workers who’ll become unemployed working in these deadly factories are suitably compensated by way of financial help of petty jobs.

Meanwhile in a tweet the Patna Sahib MP n dissident BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha has said: Finally, hopefully, a ray of hope for all of us especially in Delhi as hon’ble SC passes orders on the manufacturing and burning of crackers. An extremely welcome move to ensure a healthier living for all # Green crackers.
What’s your take friends?