New Delhi, the capital of India, is covered in smog. (Image via: NDTV)

Toxic Air of New Delhi

NEW DELHI - Every capital of every country faces the same problem. Either overpopulation or pollution. However, there are some countries that fill both shoes, and one of which is India.

Being the center for governmental and industrial hustle-bustle, India’s capital, New Delhi, claims the first position for having the deadliest air in the world. How is this even possible?

Let’s ask Neha Tara Mehta, a journalist who happens to reside in the toxic capital. In 2017, a statistics released by the government showed that about 1,24 million people in New Delhi died due to respiratory problem, believably as the main side effect of air pollution. She then recalled the time when her family had to wear oxygen masks while celebrating her niece’s birthday.

In 2018, all New Delhi was covered in smog, smoke, and other toxicities. No fresh breeze at all. Dr. Arvind Kumar from Lung Care Foundation in India made a shocking confession that it is rare to see a fresh lung, characterized by pink in colors, within nowadays generations.

All people in New Delhi currently have the equal opportunity to acquire respiratory problem, worst, lung cancer. One of the sufferers of lung cancer, Priyanka Jain, had to drag herself through five floors of stairs, while losing her breath since the third.

While the statistics are clear, this shows the failure of Indian current government in creating a habitable environment for their people. Due to Indian’s complicated government structure and their lack of accountability, the infrastructure and environment protection for all Indian people is neglected, which leads to air pollution all over Delhi.

However, this does not mean that Indian government is sitting nicely watching their people squirm. Currently, India is trying one of the solutions for the pollution, by adopting the new energy for its vehicles, electricity. More and more electric vehicles are seen in the roads of New Delhi and other Indian’s regions.

In addition, India is about to have their election once more. This is the chance for the Indians to once more put a fierce reminder that they need a fresh air to live.