DDA PUBLIC HEARING - DO YOU CALL IT A MASTER PLAN ?

"A Master Plan is the long-term perspective plan for guiding the sustainable planned development of the city. This document lays down the planning guidelines, policies, development code and space requirements for various socio-economic activities supporting the city population during the plan period. It's an organized set of decisions made by one person or a team of people about how to do something in the future.  It's a collection of all the smaller plans under a common cause so that system works systematically in future. 

But when we talk about our city, do you think there is any such master plan in existence? Traffic jam and congestion all over, open Dhalav and mountains of garbage at the landfill sites, encroachment and unauthorized construction almost everywhere, massive water logging during monsoon, potholes, and cave-ins as well the drinking water issues during summers, just reflect the genuineness of the so-called master plan of Delhi.

While there seems no suitable master plan in existence, don't know why the Government is hell-bent to announce certain modifications that will just create chaos as no one is talking about the infrastructure. No one talks about the levels of pollution that kill scores of people while deciding the modifications in the master plan of Delhi. Similarly, no voice heard that how to give a new lease of life to the river Yamuna. 

The entire exercise is being undertaken to regularise the FAR to get more and more money by way of penalties as well the regularisation charges. Is that the Master Plan of a city that is the most polluted and most congested in the world? 

Is that the Master Plan of Delhi or the Master Collection Plan, as so many clauses just talk about the regularisation of FAR at certain appropriate charges/levies. 

all the pics above used with thanks

DDA PUBLIC HEARING - DO YOU CALL IT A MASTER PLAN ?

DDA Modifications - Suggestions / Objections - to Save our City Delhi !

9th June 2018

Commissioner Cum Secretary,
Delhi Development Authority,
B Block, Vikas Sadan,
New Delhi - 110023

Subject: DDA Modifications - Suggestions / Objections - to Save our City Delhi !

Dear Sir,

Please refer your Advertisement dated 26th May 2018 seeking suggestions/objections to the proposed modifications in the Master Plan of Delhi 2018. In fact, we are more than shocked to find that your Advertisement for modifications of the MPD 2021, clearly shows that every thing will be regularised on the payment of certain levies :

5.6.2 clearly says that - The existing built-up commercial centres may be redeveloped if need be with enhanced FAR subject to payment of appropriate levies.

5.6.3a clearly says that - such excess FAR shall be permitted subject to payment of penalty charges amounting to 1.5 times of the applicable charges.

5.6.3b clearly says that - Payment of Use conversion charges from Residential to Commercial shall be applicable as prescribed.

5.6.3d clearly says that - additional FAR shall be permitted on payment of additional FAR charges as applicable.

5.6.4 clearly says that - upper floors can be converted to commercial use after paying the applicable charges.

5.6.5 about basements clearly says that - such excess FAR shall be subject to payment of appropriate charges.

Even though they can not provide any parking facility to most of the commuters, 5.6.7 says that One Time parking charges shall be paid either as down payment or in maximum four instalments.

While 15.9 (V) asks for the Penalty, 

15.12.3 (vii) is again subject to the payment of appropriate charges.

Under such circumstances, the Suggestions / Objections being filed by us, as the Joint Resolution of RWAs - NGOs - Activists, to Save Our City, won't have that much impact as the things look pre-decided as well absolutely biased towards urbanization of the City with a clear message that anything can be done on the payment of certain levies.

Strange & Shocking, there is no mention anywhere, that how you will control the Traffic Jam, Congestion, Pollution, Open Dhalavs, Open Landfill sites, Water Logging, Encroachment, etc., due to the excessive load on the infrastructure due to the excessive FAR all over in this city, which is already world's most polluted & most congested. As per WHO, over 30,000 persons are killed every year due to the impact of Pollution in Delhi NCR, but we could not find any modification in the MPD 2021.

The Lifeline of Delhi - The Yamuna river has no more Life in its Dirty Drain water. Clause 9.1, NATURAL RESOURCES of MPD 2021 itself says that, The Yamuna river and the drains are highly polluted; the capacity to treat wastewater is grossly deficient; The actual quantity of wastewater treated is much below the installed capacity; The planned reuse of treated wastewater is minuscule; A large number of the traditional water bodies in the form of ponds, etc. (excluding areas of unintended water logging along railway tracks, highways and canals etc.) have been encroached or have otherwise become defunct. The average annual rainfall in Delhi is 611 mm. However, recharge of groundwater gets limited due to decreased availability of permeable surfaces owing to urbanization, but we could not find any modification in the MPD 2021.

Under such circumstances, the last try to Save our City, lies only in the clause 5.6.10 that says, in case there is no parking facility available in the vicinity, the concerned local body may declare such areas as the pedestrian shopping streets/areas. Public transport authority shall ensure last mile connectivity to these areas.

As almost every locality of Delhi has a market, may be big or small, we are sure that you have done enough surveys for all the areas before issuing the notification for the modifications in the MPD 2021.

1. Therefore, please let us know the areas that have the parking facility suitable to the quantum of vehicles of that area so that we can approach the Local bodies to declare the rest of the areas as the pedestrian shopping streets/areas with immediate effect.

2. Moreover, by yet another modification, the term 'may' above (in 5.6.10), must be changed with the term 'must', to ensure relief to the residents/shoppers.

3. As mentioned above (in 5.6.10), the Public transport authority has to ensure last mile connectivity of these areas. Therefore, please let us know that how long it will take for the public transport authority to ensure the last mile connectivity for all those areas and your approval to the modifications to the MPD 2021 must wait till the last mile connectivity is achieved for all the areas.

4. May we request you to please ensure that all those areas of Delhi without a suitable parking facility are declared as the Pedestrian Shopping Streets / Areas, at the earliest possible. The main benefit of declaring such areas as the Pedestrian shopping streets/areas will be the reduction of congestion & reduction of pollution, that will save the most precious lives of all those who are on the verge of collapse due to various respiratory ailments, heart diseases, Cancer, Brain stroke, etc.

5. But we just could not understand and would like to know that why the Extraordinary Notification Number 149, published in the Gazette of Delhi, on Friday 15th September 2006 / Bhadra 24, 1928, declaring a huge lot of roads as the Pedestrian Shopping Streets, has not yet been implemented? 

6. We would like to know that who are the persons responsible for the non-implementation of this published notification in the last almost 12 years, and what were the reasons for the non-implementation of the notification, that was published in the Delhi Gazette on 15th September 2006?

7.  We would like to know the extent of damages occurred to the Environment of the city, due to non-implementation of the above-said notification, that was published in the Delhi Gazette on 15th September 2006?

8.  You have added in the Clause 15.7.1 that other services which are non-polluting, non-hazardous, and not prohibited by law in the residential area, shall be permitted, but we could not understand that why you have not imposed any check on the number of vehicles that is one of the main cause of Congestion & Pollution in the city?

9. Moreover, Under the Clause 5.6.7, you are asking for the One-time parking charges. But how can you claim such one-time parking charges, until & unless you have identified the Parking space under 5.6.8 as well as under 5.6.9? 

10. Does it mean that you want to collect the Parking charges, even without having any parking space, even without identifying any parking space, and even though that area is most likely to be declared as the Pedestrian shopping street/area under clause 5.6.10?

11. Please empower the RWAs for some constructive efforts. RWAs have enough brains but no miraculous powers to identify the parking space, where there is no space at all.

Looking forward to your reply as well an invite to the Public hearing, if any, though not expected, as the things look already pre-decided and pre-settled in the favour of Urbanization of the City.

And if that's true, please at least make an ESCROW fund with all the collections done for permitting all the Enhanced FARs, Basements & the collection of Used conversion charges, ensuring to be spent only on the maintaining of Parking (if any in that area), maintaining of the Roads as well as the Pedestrian shopping streets/areas and in providing the last mile connectivity, without any deviation of funds.

With best regards,

B S Vohra
9212004471
President,
East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation
F-19/10, Krishna Nagar, Delhi - 110051
www.RWABhagidari.com
rwabhagidari@yahoo.in

MPD 2021: Is there any modification done in 2018 to save the river Yamuna, the lifeline of Delhi?

9.1 NATURAL RESOURCES

Natural Resource Conservation includes management of water (surface and ground), air and noise.

9.1.1 WATER (SURFACE AND GROUND)

a) The surface water resources in Delhi are basically comprised of the river Yamuna, drains and the lakes/ponds. The groundwater in Delhi occurs in confined and semi-confined conditions, with depths varying from 1 m to 10 m below the ground level and in the alluvial terrain, several sandy aquifers occur at different levels up to a depth of 70 m.

Based on studies and statistics, some of the striking features that are revealed about the surface water resources in Delhi are:

i. The Yamuna river and the drains are highly polluted;

ii. The supply of water for human use is too much in absolute terms, but is characterized by iniquitous distribution in per capita terms in different areas, and significant wastage;

iii. Assuming that 80 percent of the water is converted into wastewater, the capacity to treat wastewater is grossly deficient; Various options for the re-use of treated wastewater must be explored and implemented.

iv. The actual quantity of waste water treated is much below the installed capacity on account of missing links in sewer connectivity between the generation points and treatment plants and choking/silting of sewer lines, etc. The missing links in sewer connectivity must be covered for its continuity from the generation point to the treatment plant.

v. The planned reuse of treated wastewater is minuscule;

vi. The treated wastewater is being largely put back into the drains and gets polluted again before flowing into the river Yamuna, which receives 70 percent of its waste from the 22 kms. of its flow through urban Delhi which, in turn, constitutes only 2 percent of the total length of the river basin stretching from its point of origin till its merger into the Ganga at Allahabad;

vii. A large number of the traditional water bodies in the form of ponds, etc. (excluding areas of unintended water logging along railway tracks, highways and canals etc.) have been encroached or have otherwise become defunct.

viii. The standards for STP / CETP developed by Central Pollution Control Board / Delhi Pollution Control Committee should be adhered to.

ix. The public participation and education programmes must be encouraged so that the sensitivity of the water resource is understood by the consumers, students and RWAs.

b) Groundwater is one of the major sources for water supply in many parts of the country. In Delhi too, groundwater contributes a substantial quantity of water supply. Especially in new development areas, groundwater is largely being used as drinking water resources. The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) assessed the total groundwater potential to be 292 million cubic meters (MCM) in 2003 as compared to 428.07 MCM in 1983, showing an overdraft and reduction of around 130 MCM over the past 20 years. Out of the 6 blocks into which Delhi is divided, significant over drawl / reduction has been observed in the Najafgarh and Mehrauli blocks. Rapid urbanization leading to the reduction in recharge of aquifers, increasing demand in the agriculture, industrial and domestic sectors, the stress put on groundwater resources in periods of drought/deficient rainfall, and unplanned withdrawal from the subsoil aquifers, have been mainly responsible for the decline in groundwater levels.

The average annual rainfall in Delhi is 611 mm. However, recharge of groundwater gets limited due to decreased availability of permeable surfaces owing to urbanization, and the runoff getting diverted into the sewers or stormwater drains that convey the water into the river Yamuna. The annual rainwater harvesting potential has been assessed at 900 billion liters or 2500 million liters per day. If even 25% of this could be harvested it would imply availability of 625 mld, which would be nearly equivalent to the presently estimated deficiency. This is in addition to the potential for roof water harvesting assessed at around 27 mld.

The existing drainage basins shall have to be made self-sustainable in water management by integrating water-sewerage-drainage systems. New projects and up gradation of present infrastructure should be taken up in addition to promotion of water conservation through an integrated and a community-driven model. Complimentary short-term and long-term strategies as mentioned above will need to be initiated.

c) Development of parks and green corridors along the Nallahs should incorporate conservation of groundwater and water bodies. To recharge the groundwater, conservation of water bodies and rainwater shall be essential. The area near Najafgarh Jheel and its surroundings and the Ridge can also be used as the potential water conservation area.

d) To increase sub-surface soil water through seepage of rainwater, porous paving tiles should be used in the pavements and soft parking areas. All the new bridges/flyovers must have the provision for rainwater harvesting.

Water bodies, having a minimum size of the surface area of 1 ha., shall be preserved by the concerned authorities. Further efforts shall be made at the local level to retain smaller water bodies.

‘ SAVE OUR CITY’ CAMPAIGN Delhi’s Master Plan by DDA ... DELHI DERELICT AUTHORITY...

RWA’s - NGO’s - ACTIVIST’s ‘SAVE OUR CITY’ CAMPAIGN - Delhi’s Master Plan by DDA …… DELHI DERELICT AUTHORITY - This Petition will be Delivered to DDA on 09-06-2018 for Public Hearing

Dear Fellow Citizens,

We wish to inform you that the Proposed Amendments / Modifications in DDA’s Public Notice dated 26-05-2018 are the same as in their previous Public Notice of February 2018.

We expected that after Five Months of SC Hearings and umpteen oral and recorded Observations of the Hon’ble Judges, DDA will factor in the issues that have been flagged therein. They have not included in even those Points that they had promised in their Affidavit to the Hon’ble Court.

Dutifully DDA mentions the MC Mehta vs Union of India {WP(C) No.4677/1985} case, seemingly without reading the Judgment dated 16-02-2006. We reproduce a few extracts for you to decide whether DDA has understood a word of the stated purpose of the said Judgment.

“…….Keeping future needs in view, experts prepare Master Plans. A perusal of the Delhi Master Plan, 1962 and 2001 shows what were plan projections. At the time of planning, the experts in the field of town planning, take into account various aspects, such as healthy living, environment, lung space need, land use intensity, areas where the residential houses to be built and where the commercial buildings to be located, need of household industries etc. 

Provision for household industries in residential areas does not mean converting residential houses in the commercial shops. It only means permitting activities of household industry in a part of a residential property. It does not mean that residential properties can be used for commercial and trading activities and sale and purchase of goods. Master Plan contemplates shops in District Centres, Community Centres, Local Shopping Centres etc. and not in residential areas. Be that as it may, for the present, we are not considering the cases of small shops opened in residential houses for catering to day-to-day basic needs, but are considering large-scale conversion, in flagrant violation of laws, of residential premises for commercial use……”

“…..Now, we revert to the task of implementation. Despite its difficulty, this Court cannot remain a mute spectator when the violations also affect the environment and healthy living of law-abiders. The enormity of the problem which, to a great extent, is the doing of the authorities themselves, does not mean that a beginning should not be made to set things right. If the entire misuser cannot be stopped at one point in time because of its extensive nature, then it has to be stopped in a phased manner, beginning with major violators. There has to be a will to do it. 

We have hereinbefore noted in brief, the orders made in the last so many years but it seems, the same has had no effect on the authorities. The things cannot be permitted to go on in this manner forever. On one hand, various laws are enacted, master plans are prepared by expert planners, provision is made in the plans also to tackle the problem of existing unauthorised constructions and misusers and, on the other hand, such illegal activities go on unabated openly under the gaze of everyone, without having any respect and regard for law and other citizens…….”

MEANING MISUSE OF RESIDENTIAL SPACES will be phased out and prioritize as to which violations will be taken up first. 

DDA THROUGH ITS PUBLIC NOTICE IS DOING THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT SUPREME COURT EXPECTS AND IS TRYING TO LEGALISE MISUSE IN A PHASED MANNER…….

Moreover, THERE IS NOT A WORD MENTIONED ABOUT THE CRITICAL ISSUE OF ENVIRONMENT WHICH FORMS THE VERY SOUL OF MC MEHTA’S PETITION.

Guest Houses & Surrogate Business have long Hoodwinked the Master Plan. Likewise, Professional Firms of LAWYERS/CA’s/ARCHITECTS/DOCTORS etc in the guise of SELF EMPLOYED PROFESSIONALS are the new threat to RESIDENTIAL PEACE. 

The law was envisaged to allow Professionals to conduct vocation FROM THEIR RESIDENCE occupying no more than 30% space. There is no control over Timings or Parking Availability resulting in Neighbourhood Fights. 

ONLY PROFESSIONALS IN SELF OCCUPIED & ACQUIRED PROPERTY should be allowed with the restriction of Closing Time as in the case of RULES OF ALLOTMENT OF CHAMBERS IN HC/SC from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and no more than 4-5 total employees/staff.

WE REQUEST CITIZENS TO SIGN UP IN LARGE NUMBERS to get our concerns addressed as we have little faith in DDA’s ability to protect the City or Resident’s Lives. In the previous haphazardly organized Public Hearing, DDA had invited all Stake Holders having divergent Objections and Interests together, thus creating the acrimonious environment, not conducive to a fair hearing.

Many participants had to face threats of physical violence, therefore we request the following:-

1. DDA should invite RWAs, Traders, Village Stakeholders etc on SEPARATE DAYS. RWAs do not wish to appear in ‘Open to All’ Public Hearing.

2. DDA has asked for complete details of petitioners..... Privacy of individuals must be ensured......

Last time they had placed complete details with home address/mobile/email on website leading to THREATS and TROLLING.

3. DDA must place EIA Report, Area Density, Availability of Resources and Infrastructure necessary for Healthy Living as per laid out norms in Sec-11A(1) of DDA Act, 1957. What was the fate of Suggestions placed by RWAs in February ??? Which of them were agreed upon ???

4. DDA must prepare and place in Public Domain, AREA WISE IMPACT STUDY to educate the residents so that they can make an informed intervention/choice. Most of the residents don't understand the consequences of these amendments. The advertisement is also placed in a manner that it has not got the desired attention of the public, it is like a regular tender notice of DDA.

5. Punitive Action should be taken against officials (Including Seniors) under whose watch the illegalities happened. The matter should be investigated on Basis of Ground Reality and not File Noting, as on paper all action is always recorded with Notices and Photographs.

Delhi has become a nonstop Urban Jungle in Seismic Zone IV with INTERMINGLING HABITAT & LIVELIHOOD and unplanned Rickety Structures. Everything that Ails Delhi Today is the result of flawed MPD-2021 ...... Smog, Crime, Parking, Traffic Jams, Untreated Sewage, Water Logging, Encroachments, Overloaded Hospitals & Public Transport, Lack of School & College Seats etc.

In conclusion, we wish to state, 

Commercial Activity of any kind in Residential Colony is a SECURITY NIGHTMARE, not to mention its impact on Environment. The Monitoring Committee in its wisdom has started sealing the Markets, IGNORING THE REAL MENACE, Commercial Establishments on City Streets.

On behalf of ‘SAVE OUR CITY’ Campaign
Joint Signatories:

1.  CHETNA (NGO), Anil Sood, 
2.  CONRWA, Chetan Sharma, 
3.  Delhi RWA’s Joint Front, Pankaj Agarwal, 
4.  Delhi Residents Forum, Varinder Arora, 
5.  Defence Colony, RWA, Maj. Ranjit Singh, President 
6.  Defence Colony, RWA, Gen. Sidhu, 
7.  Dwarka Forum, Rejimon, 
8.  East Delhi RWAs Joint Front, B.S. Vohra, 
9.  Friends of Rajouri Garden Environment, Sachin Sapra, 
10.  GK-1 RWA, Rajiv Kakria, 
11.  Ishwar Nagar RWA, Anant Trivedi, 
12.  Janakpuri RWA, Gulshan Rai, 
13.  Poster Hatao (NGO), Munirka Vihar, Col. Shivraj, 
14.  Rajinder Nagar RWA, D.M. Narang, 
15. United Residents of Delhi-URD, Saurabh Gandhi, Gen. Secy. 

the list will grow as we go along.......

MPD 2021 - Suggestons / Objections till 9th June 2018

Dear Friends,

The last date for filing your Suggestions or Objections on the proposed amendments in the MPD 2021 is 9th June 2018. Please rush your opinion & views on the proposed Master Plan of Delhi without fail. Please feel free to mail us a copy for uploading on this blog so that RWAs could know what you have written.

Our Email id is rwabhagidari@yahoo.in

Best regards,

B S Vohra

President,

East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation

www.RWABhagidari.com

दिल्ली मे एलेक्ट्रिसिटी लोड का खेल?

आपके घर की लिफ्ट का sanctioned लोड, यकायक, 11 KW से कम हो कर 1 KW कैसे हो गया, समझ से बाहर है. पिछले  कितने सालों से उस लिफ्ट का लोड 11 KW था और आप 11 KW के हिसाब से फिक्स्ड चार्जस दे  रहे थे. अब अचानक वो 11 KW का लोड कम होकर सिर्फ़ 1 KW कैसे हो गया? कौन सा जादू चल गया या फिर कोई मिराकल हो गया, समझ से बाहर है कि 11 KW से चलने वाली लिफ्ट अचानक 1 KW से कैसे चलने लगी?

आपके घर की लिफ्ट का लोड 11 KW से 1 KW हो गया और इसके साथ साथ, आपके घर का लोड भी कम हो गया. किसी को 5 KW से कम करके 2 KW कर दिया और किसी का कुछ और. और कम भी कैसे हुआ कि वो लोग (DISCOMs), बुला बुला कर बता रहे हैं, कि भाई आपका लोड कम हो गया. 

सोने पे सुहागा, आपका लोड कम हुआ सो हुआ, 600 रुपये  के हिसाब से रिफंड भी आपके बिलों मे अड्जस्ट हो गया. कई लोग तो खुशी के मारे झूम उठे, क्योंकि जिंदगी मे पहली बार शायद उनका ज़ीरो बिल आया था.

ये खेल क्या चल रहा है, ये किसी की भी समझ से बाहर है पर हम DERC या फिर दिल्ली सरकार से इतना तो पूछ  ही सकते हैं कि लोगों को पहले बेवकूफ़ बनाया जा रहा था, या फिर अब बेवकूफ़ बनाया जा रहा है. 

अगर हमारी लिफ्ट का या हमारे घर का लोड कम था, तो पिछले इतने सालों से क्यों बड़े हुए KW पर फिक्स्ड चार्जस ले रहे थे?  क्यों बड़े हुए लोड पर बड़ी हुई SLDC चार्ज की जा रही थी? क्यों कन्स्यूमर्स को लूटा जा रहा था?  

और अगर हमारी लिफ्ट का या हमारे घर का लोड सही था, तो अब वो अचानक, यकायक से, कम कैसे हो गया? कहीं कोई खेल तो नही चल रहा, कि आज की तारीख मे लोड कम करके, लोगों के फिक्स्ड चार्जस को कम दिखलाकर, लोगों को 600 रुपये पर kW का रिफंड दिखा कर, खुश कर दो, या फिर बेवकूफ़ बना दो क्योंकि अगर कल की तारीख मे दोबारा से आपकी लिफ्ट 1 KW से चलनी बंद हो जाए और 11 KW से चलने लगे, या फिर आपके घर का लोड दोबारा से 2 KW से बद्कर 5 KW होने लगे, तो आपको ना केवल बड़ी हुई दरों पर सेक्यूरिटी डेपॉज़िट देना पड़ेगा, बल्कि SLDC चार्जस भी दोबारा से देने पड़ेंगे और फिक्स्ड चार्जस तो लगने ही हैं.

अब इसका जवाब तो सिर्फ़ DERC ही दे सकती है, या फिर दिल्ली सरकार.  DERC या फिर दिल्ली सरकार के पॉवेर मिनिस्टर को चाहिए कि एक प्रेस रिलीस के ज़रिए लोगों को बताए, कि जो लोड कम कर दिए गए हैं. वो अब कम ही रहेंगे, अगले सालों मे बड़ नही जाएँगे. आपकी लिफ्ट अब 1 KW पर ही चलती रहेगी, उसे दोबारा से 11 KW की ज़रूरत नही पड़ेगी. और आपके घर का लोड भी आने वाले  सालों मे बढ़ाया  नही जाएगा. ताकि लोग समझ सकें कि उनको बेवकूफ़ नही बनाया जा रहा, कि DERC और दिल्ली सरकार लोगों के हितों की रक्षा करने मे सक्षम है.

लेकिन एक ज़रूरी सवाल, ये जो DISCOMs हैं, पिछले कुछ सालों मे इनका जो भी इनफ्रास्ट्रक्चर डेवेलप हुआ, वो पुराने लोड के हिसाब से था, या फिर नए लोड के हिसाब से है. क्योंकि अगर वो नए लोड के हिसाब से था, तो उन्होने अपनी बुक्स मे खर्चे कैसे दिखाए? और अगर वो पुराने लोड के हिसाब से था, तो आज की तारीख मे उनके पास सर्प्लस इनफ्रास्ट्रक्चर है, जिससे दिल्ली मे कहीं भी ओवरलोड की शिकायत नही होने चाहिए, कहीं भी लाइट नही जानी चाहिए और इन DISCOMs को अपने इनफ्रास्ट्रक्चर पर पैसे खरचने की ज़रूरत भी नही है क्योंकि लोड तो कम हो चुका है.

DERC और दिल्ली सरकार से जवाब की प्रतीक्षा मे.

B S Vohra

President,

East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation

rwabhagidari@yahoo.in

9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air But more countries are taking action: WHO

GENEVA – Air pollution levels remain dangerously high in many parts of the world. New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. Updated estimations reveal an alarming death toll of 7 million people every year caused by ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution.

“Air pollution threatens us all, but the poorest and most marginalized people bear the brunt of the burden,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “It is unacceptable that over 3 billion people – most of them women and children – are still breathing deadly smoke every day from using polluting stoves and fuels in their homes. If we don’t take urgent action on air pollution, we will never come close to achieving sustainable development.”

7 million deaths every year

WHO estimates that around 7 million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in the polluted air that penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing diseases including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections, including pneumonia.

Ambient air pollution alone caused some 4.2 million deaths in 2016, while household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies caused an estimated 3.8 million deaths in the same period.

 

More than 90% of air pollution-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, mainly in Asia and Africa, followed by low- and middle-income countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region, Europe and the Americas.

Around 3 billion people – more than 40% of the world’s population – still do not have access to clean cooking fuels and technologies in their homes, the main source of household air pollution. WHO has been monitoring household air pollution for more than a decade and, while the rate of access to clean fuels and technologies is increasing everywhere, improvements are not even keeping pace with population growth in many parts of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

WHO recognizes that air pollution is a critical risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), causing an estimated one-quarter (24%) of all adult deaths from heart disease, 25% from stroke, 43% from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 29% from lung cancer.

More countries taking action

More than 4300 cities in 108 countries are now included in WHO’s ambient air quality database, making this the world’s most comprehensive database on ambient air pollution. Since 2016, more than 1000 additional cities have been added to WHO’s database which shows that more countries are measuring and taking action to reduce air pollution than ever before.

The database collects annual mean concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5). PM_2.5 includes pollutants, such as sulfate, nitrates and black carbon, which pose the greatest risks to human health. WHO air quality recommendations call for countries to reduce their air pollution to annual mean values of 20 μg/m³ (for PM₁₀) and 10 μg/m³ (for PM₂₅).

“Many of the world’s megacities exceed WHO’s guideline levels for air quality by more than 5 times, representing a major risk to people’s health,” says Dr Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Public Health, Social and Environmental Determinants of Health, at WHO. “We are seeing an acceleration of political interest in this global public health challenge. The increase in cities recording air pollution data reflects a commitment to air quality assessment and monitoring. Most of this increase has occurred in high-income countries, but we hope to see a similar scale-up of monitoring efforts worldwide.” 

While the latest data show ambient air pollution levels are still dangerously high in most parts of the world, they also show some positive progress. Countries are taking measures to tackle and reduce air pollution from particulate matter. For example, in just two years, India’s Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Scheme has provided some 37 million women living below the poverty line with free LPG connections to support them to switch to clean household energy use. Mexico City has committed to cleaner vehicle standards, including a move to soot-free buses and a ban on private diesel cars by 2025.

 

Major sources of air pollution from particulate matter include the inefficient use of energy by households, industry, the agriculture and transport sectors, and coal-fired power plants. In some regions, sand and desert dust, waste burning and deforestation are additional sources of air pollution. Air quality can also be influenced by natural elements such as geographic, meteorological and seasonal factors.

Air pollution does not recognize borders. Improving air quality demands sustained and coordinated government action at all levels. Countries need to work together on solutions for sustainable transport, more efficient and renewable energy production and use and waste management. WHO works with many sectors including transport and energy, urban planning and rural development to support countries to tackle this problem.

Key findings:

• WHO estimates that around 90% of people worldwide breathe polluted air. Over the past 6 years, ambient air pollution levels have remained high and approximatively stable, with declining concentrations in some part of Europe and in the Americas. 

• The highest ambient air pollution levels are in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and in South-East Asia, with annual mean levels often exceeding more than 5 times WHO limits, followed by low and middle-income cities in Africa and the Western Pacific.
• Africa and some of the Western Pacific have a serious lack of air pollution data. For Africa, the database now contains PM measurements for more than twice as many cities as previous versions, however, data was identified for only 8 of 47 countries in the region.
• Europe has the highest number of places reporting data.
• In general, ambient air pollution levels are lowest in high-income countries, particularly in Europe, the Americas and the Western Pacific.  In cities of high-income countries in Europe, air pollution has been shown to lower average life expectancy by anywhere between 2 and 24 months, depending on pollution levels. 

“Political leaders at all levels of government, including city mayors, are now starting to pay attention and take action,” adds Dr Tedros.  “The good news is that we are seeing more and more governments increasing commitments to monitor and reduce air pollution as well as more global action from the health sector and other sectors like transport, housing and energy.”

With Thanks: WHO

Encroachment issue - TOI

Encroachment issue - TOI

Encroachment issue - HT

Congratulations to our Government, our Civic Agencies, all the multiple authorities for this great achievement

#Delhi tagged again as the #MostPolluted City in the world. CONGRATULATIONS to our Government, our Civic Agencies, all the multiple authorities, for this great achievement.

#Delhi tagged again as the #MostPolluted city in the world. Thanks to the No Vehicular policy, burning mountains of Garbage, Traffic Jam & Encroachment all over. Delhi has done it again. CONGRATULATIONS!

#Delhi tagged again as the #MostPolluted city in the world. With just 30,000 deaths in Delhi NCR out of the 2.2 million in Southeast Asia, with a Risk factor of just 25% of all deaths due to Heart diseases, 24% of the Strokes & 29% of the Lung Cancer. Delhi has done it again. CONGRATULATIONS!

#Delhi tagged again as the #MostPolluted city in the world. Any takers of the CREDIT for this great achievement? Delhiites are generous, highest Taxpayers, highest contributors to the GDP, living in a Highly Polluted City with the highest rate of Deaths. What else we are looking for?