It is a wishful thinking that a reduction in carbon emission and unhindered release of other toxic particulate matter in the ambient air can be controlled by changes in the lifestyle of people. However, the issue is too serious to be left to the commoners and their awareness level. The economic cost of pollution is difficult to be quantified. It is not rivers and forests alone that are affected by pollution. It also affects the people’s health. Needless to say, the economy is the loser if the people lose their health. Cleaning rivers is more expensive than preventing pollution. Much the same can be said about public health which needs to be protected. Prevention is, after all, better than cure.

In the urban areas, air pollution is caused mainly by the increasing number of vehicles. India still has to go a long way before it can be said to have introduced the pollution control standards in vogue in developed countries. Though vehicles older than 15 years are not allowed in Delhi, it is a fact that thousands of them continue to run in the city without any hindrance. If anything, it is a measure of the lack of determination on the part of the government to enforce pollution-related laws. The national air quality monitoring will, hopefully, lead to strong policy interventions which will help the people breathe easy.