This refers to the editorial, “Delhi's poisoned chalice” (November 8). We need to understand that despite the knee-jerk reaction of the Supreme Court by banning the sale of fire crackers in the National Capital Region (NCR) this Diwali, pollution levels remain severe due to crop burning in neighboring States of Punjab and Haryana and also due to vehicular pollution. There is no single solution to this menace. As far as crop burning is concerned, farmers claim to be helpless. Even biomass plants, where paddy residue is used to generate electricity, does not help. It in-turn ends up polluting more. Despite the NGT ban, crop burning is rampant. We need to find ways to handle this issue by bringing in all stakeholders, which includes the local farmers.
Subsequently, vehicular pollution too is rampant in the NCR region and is constantly growing. In such a situation, the Delhi Metro is the only alternate mode of public transportation. To top it all, a fare hike has demotivated the commuters. In a bit to curb vehicular pollution, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari recently said that in next six years, India will be an eclectic car market. But this is easier said than done. Moreover, the Government should incentivise automobile makers so that it remains a viable option for the buyers and sellers as well.