Impact of grap 1 level pollution continuously for 5 months on the lives of Delhi people

The impact of GRAP 1 level pollution continuously for 5 months on the lives of Delhi people can be severe.

 Prolonged exposure to poor air quality, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) between 201-300, can lead to *respiratory issues*, such as bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ¹.

Delhi's poor air quality can also cause *cardiovascular problems*, as particulate matter (PM) can enter the bloodstream, leading to inflammation and damage to blood vessels. Moreover, exposure to poor air quality can lead to *neurological issues*, such as cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression ¹.

The economic impact of GRAP 1 level pollution cannot be ignored. *Loss of productivity* due to health issues, *increased healthcare costs*, and *reduced tourism* can all take a toll on the city's economy.

To mitigate these effects, the Delhi government has implemented various measures under GRAP, including *dust control efforts*, *prohibiting burning of waste material*, and *restrictions on polluting vehicles* ². However, individual actions, such as wearing masks, reducing outdoor activities, and promoting sustainable practices, are also crucial in minimizing the impact of poor air quality.

Delhi Budget 2025 - How to make Delhi a more liveable & sustainable city ?

To make Delhi a more liveable & sustainable city, here are some of our demands from the DELHI BUDGET, addressing our key issues:

I. Air Pollution

1. *Increase funding for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure*: Allocate ₹500 crores for setting up EV charging stations and incentivizing EV adoption.

2. *Enhance pollution monitoring and enforcement*: Provide ₹500 crores for installing more air quality monitoring stations and strengthening enforcement mechanisms.

3. *Promote green spaces and urban forestry*: Allocate ₹500 crores for creating new parks, gardens, and green corridors.

II. Garbage Management

1. *Implement waste-to-energy plants*: Provide ₹1,000 crores for setting up waste-to-energy plants to reduce landfill waste.

2. *Enhance waste collection and segregation*: Allocate ₹500 crores for improving waste collection infrastructure and promoting segregation at source.

3. *Create a waste management fund*: Establish a dedicated fund with an initial allocation of ₹500 crores to support waste management initiatives.

III. Waterlogging and Drainage

1. *Upgrade stormwater drainage systems*: Allocate ₹5,000 crores for upgrading and expanding stormwater drainage systems.

2. *Create a flood control fund*: Establish a dedicated fund with an initial allocation of ₹1,000 crores to support flood control measures.

3. *Promote water harvesting and conservation*: Provide ₹500 crores for incentivizing rainwater harvesting and promoting water conservation practices.

IV. Traffic and Congestion

1. *Enhance public transportation*: Allocate ₹5,000 crores for expanding and improving public transportation systems, including buses and metro services.

2. *Promote non-motorized transport*: Provide ₹500 crores for creating cycling and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

3. *Implement intelligent traffic management systems*: Allocate ₹500 crores for installing intelligent traffic management systems to optimize traffic flow.

V. Encroachment and Unauthorized Construction

1. *Enhance enforcement mechanisms*: Provide ₹200 crores for strengthening enforcement mechanisms to prevent encroachment and unauthorized construction.

2. *Create a slum redevelopment fund*: Establish a dedicated fund with an initial allocation of ₹ 500 crores to support slum redevelopment initiatives.

VI. Yamuna River Cleaning

1. *Allocate funds for Yamuna cleaning*: Provide ₹500 crores for initiatives aimed at cleaning the Yamuna River, including waste removal and wastewater treatment using STPs at all the designated spots.

2. *Promote sustainable river management practices*: Allocate ₹500 crores for promoting sustainable river management practices, including afforestation on the river banks and biodiversity conservation.

Additional Demands

1. *Increase budget allocation for environmental initiatives*: We Demand an increase in the overall budget allocation for environmental initiatives, aiming for at least 10% of the total budget.

2. *Establish a dedicated environmental department*: We Demand the establishment of a dedicated environmental department to oversee and coordinate environmental initiatives in Delhi.

3. *Promote citizen participation and engagement*: We Demand initiatives to promote citizen participation and RWAs engagement in environmental decision-making processes.

By meeting these demands, Delhi can take a significant step towards becoming a more liveable and sustainable city.

B S Vohra

East Delhi RWAs Joint Front

RWA BHAGIDARI NETWORK