Over the years, the Delhi government has taken a number of steps to combat air pollution — industries have been relocated, a drive to get public utility vehicles to use natural gas was implemented, BS IV or Euro IV vehicle emission norms were put into place, standards for commercial vehicles were made more stringent. But, increasing evidence suggest Delhi’s air quality is rapidly deteriorating.

Experts said it was time to formulate a source-based action plan for air pollution. The Air Action Plan prepared almost two years ago is such a source-based plan. But it is yet to be finalised. Even concrete measures taken by the Delhi government have failed to make much headway. For instance, the Delhi government had banned open burning of refuse and leaves. “But, enforcement continues to be a problem with such bans. This is true especially in winter when people living on the streets take to burning refuse to keep themselves warm,” a government official said.

“There are nearly eight million personal vehicles on the city’s streets and 1,400 vehicles are added every day. Delhi urgently needs a better public transport system and better last mile connectivity. Cars need to be discouraged in favour of public transport — but there’s a lack of political will to do s”,” Anumita Roychowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said.