There are no culprits to pin the current levels of air pollution in Delhi on; yet little action is being taken by the authorities

Residents of Delhi and its surrounding areas have become used to the arrival of cold weather because the air quality index goes for an utter toss. And for several years different strawmen have been found to bear the brunt, first the burning of stubble by farmers, then it was vehicular pollution and of late firecrackers on Diwali. However, this year’s extended period of poor air quality must highlight the main cause of the problem: The constantly increasing human population in the capital and its surroundings and the resultant activity. And the solution to the air quality problem will require some brave political decisions that none of Delhi’s politicians or those from surrounding States are willing to take, that is to tackle population growth, immigration and the fallout from illegal colonies.

Some small measures can be taken though and those must be taken soon, because the problem is only getting worse every passing day and it affects the young and old particularly hard. Those from the economically weaker backgrounds, who can’t afford protection, have little choice. More and more evidence is emerging that poor air quality is cutting years off the life expectancy of Delhi residents and cases of lung cancer even among non-smokers is on the rise. If our politicians, many of who live in homes with air purifiers, want to do something about this, they have to crack the whip and invest in the future. And those investments include rapidly ramping up public transportation options and even vehicle rationing, but no half-hearted measures to keep parts of the electorate happy.

At the rate that the air quality is deteriorating, it is only a matter of time that poor air will become a year-round problem in Delhi and surrounding cities. If urgent and strict measures are not taken today, the national capital will become unlivable sooner rather than later. This is a national crisis and all our politicians should rise to the challenge. But as of today, they are all, no matter what their political persuasion, failing us.