There has been a great deal of discussion on air pollution and the steps needed to curb it. But the actual work done has been minimal. With a rise in air pollution level, life in the national capital, in the last few days, had come to a virtual standstill. People were forced to remain inside their house as the entire national capital region was engulfed in a thick blanket of toxic smog. The particulate matter (PM) levels hit a record level in the city, especially on and after Diwali.

Soon after, an emergency meeting was called by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in which a decision was taken to close all schools for the next three days.

Moreover, there was an intervention by the Supreme Court, which asked the Union Government to respond within 48 hours and give details about its policy to deal with the prevailing situation in the national capital region. Further, the court asked both the Centre and the State Government to devise a common plan to deal with the pollution menace. In fact, the Delhi Government should walk alongside the Centre to tackle the pollution challenge, not just for now but the months ahead.

Even the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had to step in. It came down heavily on Delhi and NCR for not taking appropriate steps to control stubble-burning and directed them to give complete information taken by them to curb air pollution.

All of these interventions demonstrated the scary level pollution had reached in the NCR. Besides stubble-burning, old and inefficient diesel vehicles and heavy polluting industries in and around have contributed to the crisis. Although a complete ban on sale of diesel cars in Delhi was imposed, later on it was lifted by the apex court after imposing a one per cent “green cess” on vehicles with an engine capacity above 2000cc. The implementation of the much-debated odd-even scheme twice by the Delhi Government this year, did not make an impressive impact. But it provided a platform for other States to think of innovative ways to check pollution levels.

The Government should come up with programmes to educate people about the hazards of pollution and various diseases caused as a result. Temporary relief, with short-end solutions, is not enough to deal with the problem. Creating educational programmes, educating the masses about the ill-effects and making them aware about the disease and health hazards, are needed along with the imposition of stringent penalties on erring parties. Pollution can lead to several diseases such as cancer, infertility, blindness, and even defects at the time of birth.

With the Kejriwal Government coming to power, the plantation of tress has taken a back seat. Whereas Kejriwal's predecessor Sheila Dixit, as Chief Minister, had voluntarily participated in tree-plantation drives in Delhi. As a part of her drive, more than 50,000 trees had been planted before the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. She began the drive by planting saplings in west Delhi. The incumbent Government should carry forward the good work as a greener Delhi will be better equipped to combat pollution.

Stringent laws should be passed to check pollution. Vehicles plying on road should necessarily carry the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. Defaulters should be heavily punished, even with a suspension of their driving licence to a certain period. Industries violating such laws should be made to cough up heavy fines that act as a deterrent.

Every coin has two sides. Blaming Governments over pollution is not enough. We as responsible citizens of India should also individually make an effort. Garbage-dumping, burning of fire crackers and the use of fossil fuel are activities we engage in, without giving a thought to the harm we cause to ourselves and generations to come.