NEW DELHI: For a city which bears the load of 1.4 crore people, Delhi has to grapple with a host of environmental challenges. Air pollution and water pollution remain two of the major concerns, with congestion fast emerging as a new problem. Centre for Science and Environment director Sunita Narain talks to Times City on the need for long term planning.
Q. What are the main environmental concerns in Delhi?
A. Air pollution, cleaning up of the Yamuna, contamination of groundwater, continue to be some of the main environmental challenges. What is worrisome is that we are not planning for the city. Most development is taking part on an ad hoc basis. In the 1970's the river Thames was very polluted and the UK government had to spend huge amount for the cleanup. Since we don't have that kind of big money, we need to reinvent our approach rather than letting the situation deteriorate.
Has introduction of CNG made a difference when it comes to air pollution?
In the mid-90s Delhi was choking on its own spit. What was needed was dramatic action and we took it. Investing in CNG has certainly given us breathing space. Now parameters like carbon monoxide, suspened particulate matter and sulphur dioxides have stabilised. The only pollutant that has been going up is nitrogen dioxide.
What is the road ahead?
It is apparent that while the rest of the world is going in for Euro III, IV norms and investing in huge regulatory systems, we do not have the means to do so. Almost 2 lakh vehicles are added to Delhi's roads every year. Of these, 90% are private vehicles including cars and two-wheelers. Two-wheelers are the most polluting of the lot but it is not possible to eliminate them since they are poor-friendly.
In cities like London, congestion tax is a reality, and to avoid it we need to reinvent and invest in public transportation in a big way.
A proper parking policy and setting up state-of-the-art emission checking centres is also important. Delhi cannot be treated like an island and it is important to clean up neighbouring towns like Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Gurgaon. Indraprastha Gas Limited has assured that they will provide CNG facilities by next year.
Is the government on the right track when it comes to public transportation?
We have held discussions with the government, who have agreed to prepone their deadline for different initiatives like high capacity bus system, light rail transit and electric trolley buses from 2008 to 2007. Environmental Pollution Control Authority has submitted a report regarding this to the court and would like to monitor the progress every two months.
Is there an improvement when it comes to Yamuna?
In the last five years, even with the Yamuna Action Plan, pollution levels have only gone up. Majority of the pollution is caused by 3,600 million litres of waste water flowing into the river. Sevently three percent of the sewage treatment plants remain unutilised.
The main problem is that treated water is mixed with untreated water, negating the entire exercise. The solution is to promote recycling of treated water.
