Delhi smog worsens as farmers continue illegal burning activities

Cyclists riding amid thick smog in front of the India Gate in New Delhi yesterday. Air pollution in parts of the city reached "severe" levels yesterday, with monitoring agencies warning conditions would worsen in the next two days. PHOTO: REUTERS

SANETA (India) • Delhi's smog crisis headed for a new toxic peak yesterday, but farmers are refusing to stop the stubble burning that is widely blamed for the poisonous clouds engulfing the Indian capital.

Air pollution in parts of the city reached "severe" levels yesterday - a day after US President Donald Trump described Indian air as "filthy" - with monitoring agencies warning conditions would worsen in the next two days because of the lack of wind.

Teams in states around Delhi, home to some 20 million people, are hunting the illegal stubble burners, even driving around country roads at night when most fires are started.

In the past month, some 1,265 farmers have been fined in Punjab alone, according to senior pollution officer Krunesh Garg, but satellite detectors have recorded more than 12,000 fires in the state.

In an effort to step up the campaign, the government is offering subsidised machines to clear rice paddies, and farmers who are caught starting fires are blocked for bank loans.

But thick grey clouds of smoke that carry deadly particles to the world's most polluted capital can still be seen everywhere.

Because of Delhi's position and weather pattern, the city is choked by deadly smog every winter.

Farmers like Mr Paramjeet Singh say they understand inhabitants' health concerns but consider stubble burning a "necessary evil" in the race to clear fields for fresh crops.

"The smoke is also bad for our eyes and lungs, but we don't have the money to buy machines that can clear the crop residue," said Mr Singh, 42, in Saneta village, located about 230km north-west of Delhi, in Punjab state.

"And why go after only farmers? There are so many polluting industries in Delhi and Punjab but only we get blamed."

According to state air quality monitors, farm fire smoke accounted for 56 per cent of Delhi's pollution in 2018 and 44 per cent last year.

The authorities say the share has fallen further this year, but not enough to ease the crisis in Delhi.

Some experts say the worsening smog is because of the number of cars on the roads, as well as construction and industry activities around the city.

  • 44%

    Proportion of Delhi's air pollution attributed to farm fire smoke last year. It was 56 per cent in 2018.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has declared a "war on pollution", putting up billboards across the city, while placard-wielding activists urge drivers to turn off their engines when they halt at traffic lights.

But experts say political will to tackle pollution is still lacking, with the central government and Delhi, Punjab and Harayana states unable to agree on tough action.

And this year, farmers, who represent a powerful voting bloc, are upset over new laws they fear will let large private retailers control pricing.

"Yes, we are angry and we don't care about the government. Many farmers I know burnt the crop residue mainly to spite the government," said 62-year-old farmer Yashpal Singh.

"If the farmers wanted, they could have listened to the government but they chose not to."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on October 25, 2020, with the headline Delhi smog worsens as farmers continue illegal burning activities. Subscribe