Alas, the heaven on the banks of the river Yamuna as mentioned in the above couplet, has now acquired the dubious distinction of being one of the most polluted cities. With burgeoning population, grossly inadequate municipal infrastructure, run away increase of vehicular traffic and haphazard growth of industries in blatant violation of the Master Plan, the capital city is reeling under tremendous stress beyond its carrying capacity. The symptoms of strain are evident in many ways including the recent epidemic of Dengue. Every city has a special character depending on its predominant purpose and Delhi is no exception. Over centuries, Delhi has been able to retain its character as the capital of many dynasties and even when the British rulers decided to shift their capital to Delhi from Calcutta, they were fully conscious that the city should not be subject to mixed use. The Lutyen’s plan for the capital city was essentially motivated by the concept. However, after independence, the rationale was given a go-by with the flood of refugees and subsequent developments. Over the years, the Master Plan for Delhi has been observed through breach rather than compliance. More industries have been set up in areas other than those earmarked as industrial sites. In industrial estates, the number of unauthorized industrial units has also exponentially increased. Many of these units are not registered and they avail the civic amenities including electricity and water without even paying for it. Along with the burden of unplanned industrial growth, added pressure on the city has been on account of increasing number of government and private commercial establishments, residential colonies and squatter settlements. Congestion, pollution, health hazards and social disorders are among the consequences of unregulated growth. The problems are further aggravated by the lack of civic sense and a sense of belonging to the city. It is not enough to hold seminars and workshops to discuss the status and trends of pollution in the capital. The need of the hour is to launch a campaign for “Abatement of Pollution through Community Action (APCA)”. “Cleanliness is next to godliness” could be the motto of such a movement for which area-wise Pollution Control Action Groups (PCAG) could be formed. The business houses, non-governmental organisations and of course, the government agencies should render necessary support and co-operation to the action groups. The government machinery will not be able to cope with the tasks, on its own, without community involvement. Recognition and catalytic support from the government may stimulate public participation which will make the task easier to accomplish. In other words, the message should be clear that all of us have to act in tandem for de-polluting Delhi in the interest of our survival and well-being. Why not, as citizens of Delhi we join hands in the cleaning up of the capital and thus set an example for other cities to emulate? And why not, we make a beginning by adopting “Abatement of Pollution through Community Action” as a social service scheme for schools, universities and for different sections of the society? The author is the chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board and the views expressed are personal. |
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