Pink City Jaipur-the air pollution crisis it has been leaving citizens on the edge. For years, through the foul air, hospitals have been marked with patients suffering from respiratory and lung problems.
Residents have been rushing towards small towns and villages in pursuit of clean air. Most schools and colleges have been shut down, and again masks, characteristics of a pandemic, are becoming an everyday reality. Here is the in-depth analysis of this all-growing environmental and public health crisis.
Current Scenario of Air Pollution in Jaipur
The AQI in the city has degraded and reached the hazardous mark; areas like Mansarovar, Vaishali Nagar, and Malviya Nagar; the busy Tonk Road have witnessed a daily AQI crossing 300. The industrial belt in this region around Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKIA) and traffic-ridden MI Road are worsening the air quality situation.
Levels of fine particulate matter, PM2.5 and PM10, have shot up with visibility on misty mornings as the first few sunlight rays would be moving over a foggy setting.
Health Effects: Medical Emergency
Respiratory Diseases
The Jaipur hospitals, from SMS to private ones in C-Scheme and Bani Park, are swelling up with patients. Cases of asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD have risen more than double in the past fortnight. Pediatric wards are overcrowded with children complaining of wheezing and coughing spells.
Lung Damage and Long-term Risks
Permanent damage of the lungs is caused due to prolonged exposure to high levels of PM2.5. Doctors have seen the scenario of lung fibrosis and lesser lung capacity in the patient even when they are 30 years old.
Mental Health and Reduction in Productivity
Constant exposure to polluted air is associated with being tired, headaches, and a bad mental condition. This makes the working population of Jaipur more lethargic and, therefore, further decreases the productivity in offices and industries.
Causes of the Crisis
1. Vehicular Emissions
Major roads that choke Jaipur are Tonk Road, Gopalpura Bypass, and Ajmer Road. Diesel and petrol vehicles are major polluters as they produce heavy nitrous dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO).
The city has done a fantastic job in terms of promoting electric vehicles, but the adoption is still slow.
2. Industry-Based Pollution
These include the Vishwakarma Industrial Area and Sitapura Industrial Zone, which emit a hotspots of emissions from the factories releasing volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter often without considering environmental regulation.
3. Construction Dust
There is heavy construction happening in the city of Jaipur as it’s having very fast urbanization. Areas such as Jagatpura, Malviya Nagar, and Civil Lines have highly considerable dust pollution.
4. Biomass and Waste Burning
On the outskirts of the city, stubble burning of agriculture products and municipalities is throwing harmful pollutants into the air.
The major sources of such activities have been traced to be near Jhotwara and Sanganer.
5. Climatic Factors
The geographical setup of Jaipur, wherein the Aravalli Hills surround the city, traps pollutants; during the winter season, the situation becomes worse. When winds are slow and temperatures cooler, pollutants cannot dissipate and produce smog.
Effect of Mass Migration on Daily Life
Many residents from areas like Vaishali Nagar and Jagatpura, worst affected by the pollution, are relocating to smaller cities like Chomu and Bagru for the duration.
The rural cities are turning out to be the perfect haven for people seeking fresher air quality.
The Rajasthan Government has decided to continue closing all schools and colleges until the AQI comes down. The ONLINE classes have resumed, which may disrupt the class schedules of the students.
Businesses on MI Road and Johari Bazaar are witnessing fewer footfalls as citizens like to limit their outdoor movement.
Tourism sector-the much crucial component of Jaipur economy is also losing its customers as citizens do not want to visit any destination under hazardous air quality.
What Can Be Done?
Immediate Measures
Pollution Control Zones: Ban heavy vehicles during peak hours on densely populated areas like MI Road and Tonk Road.
Public Transport: Promote metro services and buses at affordable costs so that people prefer traveling by public transport to high use of cars.
Construction Bans: Ban construction in pollution belts for some time.
2. Long-term Measures
Green Belts: Improve the green cover in city through plantation all along roadsides, in Central Park, and Jawahar Circle.
Cleaner Industries: Implement stricter norms with respect to emission levels of factories in the industrial belts.
Raising Awareness: Take out time to tell citizens how to get less indoor pollution through usage of air purifier or wearing masks.
Voices from the Street
An anonymous Mansarovar resident said
“Every morning is like inhaling poison. The kids can’t even play outside. We may have to shift to my village till such time the situation improves.”
SMS Hospital Doctor added
The Way Ahead
This is a wake-up call for policy makers, industries, and citizens alike in this air-polluted city called Jaipur. Though short-term solutions may indeed bring temporary relief, only systemic changes will ensure sustainable urban living.
Failure to act promptly, however, will drive not only public health but also the economic and cultural vibrancy of this city into jeopardy.
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