Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Need to improve air quality' that was published in Newsband

Need to improve air quality

Delhi’s air quality is very bad. Desperate remedies are called for to solve this issue. The initiative to improve air quality has come from the petroleum ministry. This scheme contemplates Delhi as a BS VI island in a country that will still be following BS IV norms. But the engine changes needed for BS VI and these will only be ready by 2020. The BS VI norms stipulate 10ppm sulphur compared to 50ppm sulphur under BS IV.

Delhi currently has over 10 million vehicles registered with the transport department. Around 5.7 lakh cars enter the city every day and around 11 per cent of these are the more polluting diesel SUVs. Vehicles entering from outside the city create over 20 per cent of the particulate load in the city.

There is also the need to tackle the issue of stubble burning and enforcing tougher rules on construction and waste management. Delhi pollution is a serious concern, and the Delhi government should spend the money collected for reducing pollution effectively instead of indulging in theatrics

Bringing forward the BS-VI norms will put pressure on auto companies to upgrade their technology for better engines that reduce PM emission. The focus and earnestness of the regulatory authorities in respect of Auto Air Pollution, which in turn compels the Auto industry to invest in better technologies is both welcome and absolutely necessary. A point not to be missed out is that simultaneously the mechanism of obtaining PUC must also be upgraded. Moreover, a study needs to be done to check if the PUC test itself can be manipulated. Clearly, as can be observed on the roads, we can see vehicles spewing out fumes every so often.

Finally, the equally menacing issue of Traffic Noise Pollution must not be lost sight of. Today both regulations and implementation is hopelessly inadequate. Also, like in case of Air Pollution, formulating a national policy in respect of Traffic Noise Pollution is long overdue.

Introducing BS VI norms is welcome and its compliance may reduce quantum of bad emissions. Even cities like Mumbai and Navi Mumbai can learn from Delhi’s experience.