The ongoing saga of people in all northern States suffering from “severe or beyond” category of air pollution (Front page, “Delhi chokes as air pollution levels hit a three-year high,” Nov. 4) only exposes the lack of seriousness within the Central government to find a solution for the issue. Despite the measures taken in recent years to improve the capital’s air quality, a few factors beyond the control of the local government cause a sudden spike in pollution levels during winters. Large-scale stubble burning practised by farmers in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana is a known culprit. In such a scenario, the Union Environment Ministry should have pro-actively worked to bring all stakeholders on board to devise an action plan. Ironically, it postponed many of the scheduled meetings. The PMO’s belated intervention now is like digging a well after the house has caught fire.
Kamal Laddha,
Bengaluru
