Gustakhi Maaf Haryana-Pawan Kumar Bansal
Gustakhi Maaf Haryana-Pawan Kumar Bansal
Our enlightened reader RK Garg retired EIC Irrigation Haryana and ex member Delhi Jal Board talk about POLLUTION in NCR: Every winter we in NCR suffer the agony of serious air pollution. Experts attribute it to the peculiar atmospheric conditions in the region.In my view it’s only partially correct.Soon after independence, hoards of people started migrating to Delhi in search of livelihood and started settling in unplanned and unauthorized habitations on the lands wherever available. Over the years, thousands of such habitats came up including on public lands and even on lands under flood plains. These habitats came up in absence of any basic infrastructure. Encroachments and ugly unplanned constructions in the national capital became a new normal. Since millions of people residing in such habitats had become voters, they became precious assets for the political parties. DDA created for the planned development of the capital failed miserably to match the emerging needs and control the urban dynamics.Population of Delhi increased from a modest 7-10 lacs in 1947 to current about 350 lacs,a fifty time increase, fastest anywhere in the world.The current population of the city is much beyond its reasonable carrying capacity.
It was nearly impossible for any government to take care of the basic human needs of such rapidly growing population and serious issues started arising in regard to the cleanliness,treating wastes, both solid n liquid, public transport, mushrooming of small industrial units in residential areas n handling of the waste from such units,traffic and connectivity, control of dust generated during unplanned n ugly constructions, managing dust on roads and streets and sundry several other issues. It finally polluted Yamuna when tons load of untreated sewage generated in unauthorized habitats(till recently 46% of Delhi had no access to the sewage infrastructure)started joining the river system.A river having bathing quality flow and supporting aquatic life till early seventies started dying and finally reached a stage when dissolved oxygen got reduced to nil.It also led to creating huge dumps of solid waste with open burning of the waste.Absence of any credible public transport led to excessive increase in personal autos contributing heavily to the cause of pollution.The cumulative effect of these factors started worsening of the environment and the impact became noticeable and worrisome by early nineties.
Government of Shiela Dixit ji did attempt to address the issue by enforcing CNG as mandated, improving road network and starting metro network.However since the issue of unplanned growth remained unaddressed,the measures attempted were not sufficient and could only make a limited impact.Subsequent government unfortunately ignored the issue completely.
Neighborhood Haryana towns Gurgaon n Faridabad suffer similar ills. Gurgaon, though largely developed in last few decades yet is a victim of compromised urban planning.With inadequate road network and practically no public transport there is heavy traffic inside the town and on link roads to Delhi.Open burning of the solid waste and dust on roads and on account of constructions worsen the situation.Broken and heavily encroached upon footpaths add to the woes.Aravali is heavily mined and denuded. Lack of cleanliness and green cover add to the problem.
Fight to overcome the problem has to be determined and planned. It is time and it should be possible after 75 years of independence to say a complete no to the unplanned constructions and encroachments of any kind.The bureaucracy has to take responsibility someday for lawful governance.Delhi metro is already doing a good job, but it alone is not enough. Must plan and introduce a reliable, comfortable and well planned city bus network, including in NCR towns.
Why we are not able to run an efficient local bus service which can compare with likes of Singapore and Hongkong.An efficient, comfortable and reliable public transport can only attract the car users as an alternative.Also need to enforce only electric vehicles on roads in a time bound frame.
Must bring in latest technology in use for treating the solid waste.Can again follow Singapore in the matter.Industrial waste must be treated at source.Strict norms for constructions, not to permit dust have to be implemented .Road cleanings should be as per the prevalent international practices. Green cover should be increased in a definite planned manner.No untreated sewage should be permitted to join any water resource, meaning 100% liquid waste treatment.Punjab and Haryana have to stop crop burning in the respective states.Plans be prepared and notified and officers held accountable to meet the timelines.We have already callously lost much time, and it can not be any more.