Meghan Hodges
Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world, with air quality reaching alarming levels of 485 AQI (air quality index) when the safe limit for humans is less than 100 AQI. Vehicular pollution is one of the biggest causes of air pollution in Delhi, with personal vehicles like cars and two-wheelers releasing toxic gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. To reduce air pollution in Delhi, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has banned the use of electricity generators that run on diesel, petrol and kerosene. This article will explore what else can be done to tackle air pollution in Delhi.
Reducing air pollution in Delhi
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of public transportation | Vehicular pollution is one of the biggest causes of air pollution. Public transport is more affordable and environmentally friendly than personal vehicles. |
| Carpooling | Reduce traffic-based air pollution and congestion by encouraging carpooling with friends, colleagues, and family. |
| Walking or cycling | For short distances, walking or cycling can help reduce air pollution and improve health. |
| Bicycle lanes | Mark out bicycle lanes to encourage safe travel by bicycles. |
| CNG vehicles | Encourage the use of CNG in motor vehicles as it is a much cleaner fuel than petrol or diesel. |
| Avoid burning garbage | Encourage people to throw waste in municipal bodies' garbage dumping sites instead of burning it. |
What You'll Learn
Use public transport instead of personal vehicles
Vehicular pollution is one of the biggest causes of air pollution in Delhi. Personal vehicles like cars and two-wheelers release toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which pollute the air. To prevent the city's air from becoming more toxic, residents should use public transport instead of their own vehicles. This will not only save financial resources but also protect the environment.
The Delhi government can encourage greater use of public transport by supporting the Metro, overhead rail and bus services. These services should be made more convenient, affordable and safe for people to use. Citizens, meanwhile, must shed their hang-ups over social status and proactively choose public transport over their own vehicles.
Car-pooling is another way to reduce traffic-based air pollution and congestion. The government can start car-pool lanes for cars and four-wheelers with three or more passengers. Citizens should also take the initiative and car-pool with friends, colleagues and family wherever possible.
For shorter distances, people should be encouraged to walk or use bicycles. Bicycle lanes should be marked out in residential colonies and on all roads in Delhi to encourage safe travel by bicycles.
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Walk or cycle for short distances
Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world, with air quality reaching alarming levels of 485 AQI (air quality index). Vehicular pollution is one of the biggest causes of air pollution, with personal vehicles like cars and two-wheelers releasing toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.
To reduce air pollution in Delhi, it is advisable to walk or cycle for short distances. This will help to reduce the number of personal vehicles on the road, thereby lowering the amount of toxic gases being released into the air. Walking and cycling also have the added benefit of improving our health.
To encourage more people to walk or cycle for short distances, it is important to ensure that these modes of transportation are safe. This can be achieved by creating designated pedestrian and bicycle lanes, particularly in residential areas and on roads with high traffic volume. Additionally, the government can implement initiatives to promote walking and cycling, such as providing incentives or rewards for those who choose to travel by foot or bicycle.
Furthermore, raising awareness about the benefits of walking and cycling can help encourage more people to adopt these habits. Educational campaigns can highlight the environmental and health advantages, as well as the cost savings associated with reduced car usage.
By implementing these measures, Delhi can take significant steps towards reducing air pollution and improving the health and well-being of its citizens and visitors.
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Carpool with friends, family or colleagues
Carpooling with friends, family or colleagues is a great way to reduce air pollution in Delhi. Vehicular pollution is one of the biggest causes of air pollution, with personal vehicles like cars and two-wheelers releasing toxic gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. By carpooling, you can reduce the number of vehicles on the road and, therefore, the amount of pollution.
If you live in Delhi, you can encourage carpooling by starting carpool lanes for cars and four-wheelers with three or more passengers. This will incentivise people to carpool, as it will reduce congestion and make journeys faster.
If you don't have friends or family to carpool with, you could try carpooling with colleagues. If you don't know anyone at work who lives near you, you could put up a notice at work or send an email around to see if anyone is interested.
If you don't drive, you could still carpool by offering to share fuel costs with someone who does. This will make the journey cheaper for the driver and give them an incentive to carpool with you.
If you have children, you could also carpool by taking turns driving them and their friends to school with other parents. This will reduce the number of cars on the road during the school run and improve air quality near schools.
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Encourage the use of CNG in motor vehicles
Vehicular pollution is one of the biggest causes of air pollution in Delhi. Personal vehicles like cars and two-wheelers release toxic gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which pollute the air. To reduce this, the use of CNG in motor vehicles should be encouraged. CNG is a much cleaner fuel than petrol or diesel, and it can considerably reduce road tax and sales tax on CNG-filled cars compared to petrol and diesel four-wheelers.
To encourage the use of CNG in motor vehicles, the government can offer tax incentives for CNG-powered cars. This can be done by reducing the road tax and sales tax on CNG-filled cars compared to petrol and diesel vehicles. This will make CNG-powered cars more affordable for consumers and encourage more people to switch to this cleaner fuel option.
In addition to tax incentives, the government can also provide subsidies or grants to help offset the cost of converting to CNG for both consumers and businesses. This can include offering rebates or discounts on the purchase of CNG-powered vehicles or providing financial assistance for the installation of CNG conversion kits.
Another way to encourage the use of CNG is to ensure that there is an adequate refuelling infrastructure in place. The government can work with energy companies to increase the number of CNG refuelling stations across the city, making it more convenient for drivers to switch to CNG-powered vehicles.
Public awareness campaigns can also play a crucial role in encouraging the use of CNG. The government can educate the public about the benefits of CNG, including its reduced environmental impact and cost savings. This can be done through advertising campaigns, social media initiatives, and community outreach programs.
Finally, the government can lead by example by converting its own fleet of vehicles to CNG. This will send a strong message to the public about the benefits and feasibility of CNG-powered transportation. By taking a proactive approach and implementing these initiatives, the government can effectively encourage the use of CNG in motor vehicles, reducing air pollution in Delhi, and improving the health and well-being of its citizens.
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Avoid burning garbage
Burning garbage is a common practice in Delhi, with many people choosing to burn their waste instead of taking it to municipal garbage dumping sites. This is a major contributor to air pollution in the city. To reduce air pollution, it is important to avoid burning garbage and instead dispose of waste properly.
One way to do this is to encourage the use of public transportation. Vehicular pollution is one of the biggest causes of air pollution in Delhi, with personal vehicles like cars and two-wheelers releasing toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. By using public transport, we can reduce the number of vehicles on the road and decrease the amount of toxic gases released into the air.
Another way to avoid burning garbage is to promote carpooling and the use of bicycles. Carpooling reduces traffic-based air pollution and congestion by ensuring that each car has three or more passengers. Marking out bicycle lanes in residential colonies and on all roads in Delhi can also encourage safe travel by bicycles. This will help to reduce the number of personal vehicles on the road and improve air quality.
In addition to these measures, it is important to raise awareness about the harmful effects of burning garbage. Educating people about the impact of their actions on air quality and public health can help to change behaviours and encourage proper waste disposal.
By implementing these strategies, Delhi can take significant steps towards reducing air pollution and improving the health and well-being of its citizens.
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