SubscriberWrites: Urban Air Pollution – A terrifying man made disaster in action

Delhi’s toxic haze | Getty images via Bloomberg

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While none of us get any younger by the day, getting us old earlier is very much in the hands of our society and in the hands of those who claim to govern us.

The current Air Quality data is enough proof that we shall age earlier. The stoic silence from the governing bodies and the incapability to address the air quality problem since so many years speaks for the competence of the governing bodies. The media could make a big difference by not just calling the spade a spade, but also, by ceaseless focus on the dangers of the problem at hand!

The present crisis is man made, a combination and a cumulative effect of the lack of governance with the compounded effects of corruption multiplying the adverse effects. 

Endless reams could be printed with no visible results – but simple yes no, yes yes no no discussions could open some right paths ahead.

1. Is construction and cement a cause for the worsening pollution? The answer will be a resounding yes ! Quick studies would reveal that cement admixtures are becoming finer in their contents resulting in higher air pollution.

   Possible Solution – All structures rely on a “Cement Steel Ratio” for strength combined with practicality, aesthetics and costs. More Cement and Concrete and you could reduce steel. Less Cement and Concrete and you would need to increase the steel quantity in the matrix. While cement pollutes severely and recyclability is a big cost, steel will win this battle of air pollution for cities. What is needed – awareness and then a mindset change. “Increase usage of Steel in all structures –
   period.”

2. Have the boundaries between the Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, and Media, blurred ? Are they transgressing authorities and ignoring red flags ? Let us assume for a moment that the answer is a resounding yes ! The consequence – whether work is done, whether quality work is done or not, whether the work really needed to be done in the first place, such questions, such debate does not even start.

   A simple instance in point – Every city has hundreds of dumpers moving through the length and breadth. Look closely – they are generally overloaded, they are involved with rash driving, most dumpers lack working tail lights, a lot of rules and regulations are broken. What about booking these offenders?  Ask a traffic constable friend, and you get to the root of the problem – assertive transgressions, unchecked ! The traffic constable would prefer to let go of the offender rather than incur the wrath of the local politicians owning more than 95 % of the dumpers in India.

3. Engineering, Justice and Meritocracy – More transgressions creating a terrible mess. Choosing the right methodology needs a multi skilled approach. Take the example of garbage disposal – from generation point to dumpyard to processing – how much money is being spent on worthless garbage – the megacity of Mumbai spends hundreds of crores everyday – collecting something worthless. How much pollution is “created” in collecting the worthless garbage. How much burden is being added to the road network carrying the worthless garbage to dumping grounds.

   Specific questions with open minds could bring about some alternates to the problem.

   Hint – We are aware that more than 30 % of the wet garbage being collected in Mumbai is water – by weight and by volume – so can something be done about reducing water content before transporting the garbage. Use Engineering, Justice and Meritocracy with the right spirit and we might become the greatest safaiwallas of all time.

4. Take those extra steps – Wood burning pyres and wood bakeries should be moved out of the megapolis without any delay.  Construction waste transit points should be moved out of the city limits, All waste and scrap should keep radiating away from the city centre. It is difficult to comprehend development in Mumbai with ever growing encroached scrap yards around the dock areas. Are such areas conducive and contributive to a healthy megapolis?  

Across the board decisions and strict implementation are the only way to bring back the state and health of the city and its citizens.

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