For a decade, Delhi has regularly received the dishonourable title of being the world’s most polluted city. The 30 million people living in and around Delhi must pay the price with an average loss of life attributable to air pollution of 12 years. As the pollution crisis hits it annual peak, authorities bring in emergency methods, ranging from closing schools to stopping construction and banning highly polluting vehicles from the roads. But a lot of the suggested measures have little to do with evidence such as smog towers and drones with water. Other measures such as closing schools are measures that put the responsibility on the already vulnerable populations. The Supreme Court, in the case of MC Mehta vs. Union of India, directed the Commission for Air Quality Management to review its restrictions, noting their impact on education. The court raised concerns about students: "A large number of students are being deprived of the facility of mid-day meals as schools and anganwadis are closed." "A large number of students do not have the facilities to take advantage of online education. Many educational institutions do not have the facilities to provide online education. The residences of many students do not have air purifiers, and therefore, there may not be any difference between children sitting at home and those attending school."
Clearly, these measures do not benefit the most vulnerable, and exacerbate the problems of toxic air pollution on the population.
The Guardian 22 Novemner 2024, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/22/the-air-is-killing-us-why-...
Times of India 26 November 2024, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/115678253.cms?
