What Delhi can learn from the Great Smog of London in 1952

Delhi winters have always been famous. past few years have, however, lent a new notoriety to season here. Unprecedented pollution levels more often than not, leing to hazardous air conditions that Delhiites and anyone visiting have to brea in . This year has been no different. AQI levels have plummeted close to 500 mark at various locations across national capital where y continue to hover while state govt responds with its usual knee jerk measures of shutting schools, reducing attendance in offices, an odd-even scheme for vehicles to ply and stopping construction activities. 

However, Delhi is not alone among Asian countries with this distinction. A dece ago anor capital of an Asian giant, China's Beijing ranked with Delhi as being among most polluted in world. Beijing has since cleaned up its act after it launched a campaign to this effect a dece ago. But if Beijing's example may not be viable for Delhi to follow could we perhaps take a cue from anor great city? Believe it or not, London, heart of British Empire at one of its best times reeled from similar conditions. This was Great Smog of London in 1952 and it has left behind many lessons from which we can learn. I say so because Prime Minister Churchill, who some say was best PM Britain has ever h, initially brushed aside all environmental concerns. In fact it is said that even as smog descended onto city he  insisted on continuing to burn coal to give illusion of a solid economy. All that changed when he himself visited hospitals and saw thousands impacted. 

What was Great Smog of London? 

It was a lethal smog that hung over city for five days, from December 5 to December 9, in 1952. Smog was a part of London life since 1700s caused by extensive coal burning. industrial revolution me m even more common. By n y were called pea-soupers because of ir dense yellow appearance. But December smog of 1952 was a pea-souper of unprecedented severity. London came to a standstill. Even ambulances were unavailable. Visibility was so reduced that pedestrians couldn't even see ir own feet. Hospitals saw a spike in pneumonia and bronchitis cases and deaths. Even animals were not safe as herds of cattle  in Smithfield reportedly choked to death. Thousands lost ir lives in sulfurous hell of those five days. initial fatality count was 4000 according to registrar general but it is today estimated to be 12,000.

What caused great London smog?

A combination of period of unusually cold wear, combined with an anticyclone and windless conditions and airborne pollutants arising out of burning coal. So, very similar to New Delhi's conditions; and how did UK govt deal with it? 

Aftermath of Great Smog of London

• Clean Air Act was enacted in 1956
• Smoke-free areas were established throughout city 
• Burning of coal in domestic fires as well as in industrial furnaces was restricted

In New Delhi, all we are hearing are familiar voices pointing to stubble burning by farmers of North and a blame game between centre and state. Homeowners were offered grants to switch to different heating sources. Oil, natural gas, and electricity were alternate energy sources offered.

But, how long can this continue? How long can this year on year sequence of events which culminate in a grual fing away of furore and outrage till a wear change causes all to be forgiven and matter to finally be brushed under carpet continue? How long can Delhiites die slowly a little every year while our political masters indulge in an all too familiar war of words? 

It's time for a new approach just like London deces ago.

Lessons Delhi can learn from Great Smog of London 1952

Alrey, a number of solutions, most of m temporary  have been deployed, such as asking office employees to work from home in order to reduce vehicular pollution, using anti-smog gun sprays, and shutting down construction sites. n re are steps taken by Delhi government for reducing vehicular pollution - like switching to CNG, establishing strict pollution levels norms for vehicles, ensuring vehicles use unleed petrol, low-sulphur petrol or diesel and catalytic converters and slowly phasing out old vehicles. So could we, perhaps have a similar ‘Clean Air Act’ like London? Could govt incentivize use of cleaner fuels and could we have smoke free zones? 

If and only if Government takes on se measures and more and learn from best practices that have succeeded across world can we brea freely and perhaps survive to see anor winter.