‘Need for long-term solutions’

The Capital’s air quality will only improve if more stringent measures over the long-term are implemented, environmentalists said on Thursday after the Delhi government announced that its road rationing scheme will return in April.

With round two of the policy being implemented from April 15, experts said there was need to include wider anti-pollution measures.

“Clearly, there is a desperation to see a change and odd-even gives an opportunity to do so. But the government needs to simultaneously focus on systemic solutions — mid and long term,” said Anumita Roychowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment.

She added that since most Delhiites were in favour of the scheme according to a government survey, the authorities should step in quickly. “The focus should be on services. Planning is critical now. It’s not just the number of buses, but the quality of the service too. There should be public transport in all neighbourhoods.”

Others were a bit sceptical about the effectiveness of the plan to reduce air pollution.

“If the programme remains confined to Delhi alone, it will be challenging to see any effect on air quality. The government should expand it to the National Capital Region and focus on other sources of pollution,” said Sunil Dahiya of Greenpeace India.

He added that without taking into account emissions from industries, there will be no substantial decrease in pollution.

Though levels of particulate matter are still above the safe levels, it will be relatively better in April than the winter, when lower temperatures lead to worse air quality.

Ms. Roychowdhury said the biggest problem in the summer is the level of ozone in the air, which needs emergency measures like odd-even.

Environmentalists said there was need to include wider anti-pollution measures this time