India, Sept. 30 -- Each year, the Delhi government releases a list of measures to combat air pollution, now a defining trait of the National Capital Region in winter. On Monday, this exercise was repeated with tedious familiarity: construction bans, staggered office timings, restrictions on the entry of older petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside the city, and higher parking charges. This is akin to putting a bandage where surgery is needed.

Last year, dust emerged as the key source of pollution. Yet, this did not stop the authorities from kicking off major infrastructural projects just before winter. To be sure, dust control measures do not apply to such projects. This year, the Public Works Department (PWD) has set November 30 ...