Delhi’s Air Pollution Sees No Improvement, 52.2% Approve Govt. Efforts

Delhi is known to be one of the most polluted cities in the world, with pollution and air quality topping the charts. Delhi’s air pollution gets worse in winter, when the wind drops and the air cools, trapping pollutants from vehicles, industry, and the burning of agricultural waste.

Real Research, an online survey platform, surveyed respondents on the matter given its effect on society. The survey on ‘Delhi’s air pollution’ revealed the following.

Highlights:

• 38.43% moderately concerned about the impacts of Delhi’s air pollution
• The government is ‘absolutely’ handling the issue well, said 52.2%
• 59.1% suggest that the government could implement stricter regulations to curb Delhi’s air pollution

Firstly, the survey revealed that 44.48% were well aware of Delhi’s poor air quality. 36.32% were vaguely aware and 19.2% were unaware.

Delhi’s air pollution concerns emerge especially in wintertime when air quality is extremely toxic. This is attributed largely to the burning of crop residues, low wind speeds, and the use of firecrackers during festivals. This is concerning as air quality can become severely toxic to breathe in. 38.43% expressed being moderately concerned about this, while 38% expressed slight concern, and 21.32% expressed extreme concern. However, 2.25% showed no concern at all.

Is the Government Handling Delhi’s Air Pollution Well?

The Delhi government has repeatedly tried to reduce automobile emissions by increasing the frequency of all public transportation, restricting the production and use of firecrackers, etc. within the city for the past three years to no avail. Air pollution continues to affect the health of hundreds of residents in the city. 52.2% felt that despite the lack of improvement in the air quality, the Delhi government is ‘absolutely’ doing enough to curb the issue, and 28.15% felt that the government is ‘somewhat’ handling it well. However, 12% felt that the government was not handling the issue well and 7.65% felt the government was not at all handling the matter.

Also Read: “Air Pollution is Not Getting the Attention it Needs on a Global Level,” says 42.99%

Could this, however, be due to a lack of stricter regulations on the government’s part?

59.9% suggested that the government should implement stricter regulations such as strengthening factory and vehicle emissions, increasing the use of green energy, etc, and 17.43% suggested that the government need not implement stricter regulations. 23.47% were unsure.

Effective Ways to Reduce Air Pollution

The survey finally polled respondents on possible ways to reduce Delhi’s air pollution; 32.9% suggested strengthening emission standards for factories and vehicles, 23.93% suggested managing air quality at a national (governmental) level, and expanding the use of renewable energy (16.19%).

Others said the government could increase investment in research and technology that can solve air pollution (10.04%), encourage farmers to refrain from burning residual waste (7.79%), and conduct campaigns by environmental and civic organizations to reduce air pollution (7.41%). 1.68% had other suggestions.