Smog in Delhi. Sanjay Singh/Firstpost
DELHI AIR POLLUTON LIVE UPDATE
The killer smog returned to Delhi earlier this week, triggering near-zero visibility at several places and accidents on highways, and causing respiratory problems to Delhiites. While it has turned the national capital region into a chock-a-block a comparison of air quality data with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) shows that the financial capital of India and areas around it aren't as safe as thought to be especially when it comes to levels of air pollutants Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and PM 2.5 (particulate matter with size lesser than 2.5 micrometres), two of the six major pollutants that lead to the formation of smog.
Punjabi Bagh in Delhi featured the poorest AQI on Thursday at 999, followed by RK Puram with an AQI of 868. The levels of PM 2.5 was equally high at 751 and 602 respectively. The PM10 was also at hazardous level touching 999 in both the locations.
very poor" levels.:---
Why is Delhi not demanding the right to breathe?
Where exactly is the anger and concern among citizens about the hazard to their health? Are the people of Delhi really worried about the cancer-causing pollutants they are inhaling? If yes, what are they doing to demand the right to clean air, and thus, the right to life? Do we see any dharnas, candle-light marches or protests? Do we see in people of Delhi the desire to make the government do something about the gas chamber they live in?
Delhi's silent capitulation to fate is a painful indictment of its inability to stand up for its own rights. It is a reminder of the zombie-like existence of a city that doesn't stop even once to introspect about its own fate. It is a resounding counterpoint to what was once said about Delhi, that it was dilwalon ki. Because, Delhi has lost the heart and stomach for a fight for its own existence. Its blood has turned into water.
It is exactly this kind of surrender that makes the political class get away with its failures. This disinterest among people ends up giving clean chits to governments and politicians guilty of criminal neglect of Delhi's air. And, the result of this apathy is that the city gets the government and the air it deserves.
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