SC to hear pollution cases related to Delhi, other cities today
The Supreme Court will expand its focus on air pollution to other cities in India during a hearing scheduled for Thursday.
The current smog that enveloped the Capital over the past week has left one with a sense of deja vu. While air pollution is nothing new to Delhiites and smog ~ very different from the beautiful winter fog ~ has become a regular occurance, it is the intensity that has hit the citizens this year. It was bad last year too, with smoke from stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana taking the major blame.
The usual rounds of meetings with state officials, ministers and political leaders saw everyone running around in circles before the weather changed, clearing the smog away. This year too, it’s a re-run ~ blame game, official directives and advisories from various sectors. Another phenomenon is seen once more this year ~ gas masks. For the first time last year, a range and variety of masks appeared in the market.
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It became a common feature to see people going about sporting a mask. From a simple surgical mask ~ which is said to be ineffective in filtering the micro-particulate matter ~ to fancy and decorative ones, manufacturers marketed them and people quickly bought them. This year too, as the smog set in post Diwali, the masks were back on people’s faces and the shops, particularly the chemists, were making a brisk sale.
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In fact, an outlet in an upmarket shopping area in Central Delhi was seen selling only masks ~ of different types, brands and price range. Visitors to China around a decade ago would recall how the citizens there went about with masks on their faces and found the sight a little strange. Little did one know it would become all too common in Delhi as well. A colleague drew another parallel.
He recalled how as children one drank water directly from the tap. Today it is unthinkable and we insist on filtered or RO (reverse-osmosis) water or look for bottled water when outside home. Similarly, where we once joked about gas masks, it has become a reality today and may soon be part and parcel of our outdoor attire. Also, air purifiers may become as common as air conditioners.
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