New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- As Delhi rolls out a series of emergency measures to combat worsening air pollution, environmental experts and residents have questioned the effectiveness of the government's approach, arguing that despite a change in government in Delhi, the annual pollution crisis continues to follow a familiar pattern, with same restrictions being imposed every winter but little visible improvement in the city's air quality or the way the problem is addressed.
Experts said the focus on vehicular movement, particularly restrictions on vehicles entering the capital, overlooks the larger regional nature of the pollution crisis, which is driven by multiple sources, including stubble burning, construction dust, industrial emissions, waste burning, brick kilns and coal-fired power plants.
They pointed out that "emergency measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) often come into force after air quality has already deteriorated," raising concerns about the government's reliance on reactive interventions rather than sustained pollution control throughout the year.
"The approach appears to be focused more on visible restrictions than addressing the structural sources of pollution. Stubble burning, industrial emissions, road dust and emissions from thermal power plants require consistent monitoring and long-term solutions. Restricting vehicles alone cannot bring about a significant improvement in air quality," Manikant Singh, an environmental expert said.
The restrictions have also triggered concerns among daily commuters, particularly those travelling from Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. While increased Metro services are being promoted as an alternative, public transport is not equally accessible to people living in areas without convenient Metro connectivity. Overcrowding during peak hours further complicates daily travel.
"Every winter, we face the same situation. Those who have to travel for work are left struggling. The Metro is not accessible from every locality, and travelling in overcrowded trains every day is not practical for everyone," said a Delhi resident.
The impact is particularly severe for construction labourers, delivery personnel, street vendors and other informal workers whose livelihoods depend on daily mobility. Restrictions and reduced outdoor working hours can affect their earnings, while prolonged exposure to polluted air also poses health risks.
"People like us cannot afford to stop working just because pollution levels have increased. If we stay home, we lose a day's wages, but working outdoors in this air affects our health. There is no alternative source of income for us," said a construction labourer working at a site in Delhi.
A delivery worker said, "We spend most of our day on the roads, breathing polluted air. There are health risks, but we cannot refuse orders or stop working."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.