The air quality in Delhi NCR has reached catastrophic levels, posing a grave threat to the health and well-being of millions — including my own family. Living in this region, I have seen firsthand how poor governance, policy paralysis, and lack of coordination have left us gasping for breath amidst pollution, traffic chaos, and crumbling infrastructure.

What was once a region of promise now struggles under the weight of neglect. Families like mine endure not only the physical consequences of this crisis but also the emotional anguish of watching our loved ones fall sick — because of something as basic as the air we breathe. This is not a seasonal inconvenience; it is a Public Health Emergency demanding immediate, coordinated, and transparent action.

We can no longer afford temporary measures, committees, or blame games. We demand concrete, time-bound action to safeguard public health and the environment.

We urge the following immediate steps:

1. Declare a 7-Day Public Health Emergency

• Temporary lockdown-style restrictions to cut emissions fast.
  
• Close all construction sites, ban burning, and shut non-essential polluting industries within 50 km radius.
• 50% car ban (odd-even style) and mandatory work-from-home for all non-essential jobs.

2. Daily Accountability Dashboards

• Real-time, publicly accessible AQI data by zone.
  
• Source-wise breakdown: traffic, stubble, industry, construction, domestic fuel.
  
• Daily televised briefings on progress, just like COVID updates.

3. Aggressive Traffic & Vehicle Enforcement

• Immediate ban and towing of visibly polluting vehicles.
  
• Clampdown on commercial trucks and reroute non-essential freight.
  
• Free bus rides and metro expansion for essential workers.
  
• Increased metro frequency during peak hours to reduce private vehicle usage.

4. Zero Tolerance on Stubble Burning

• Rapid response firefighting teams deployed in hotspot districts.
  
• Satellite monitoring for real-time detection.
  
• Immediate FIRs, fines, and jail for repeat offenders.
  
• Simultaneously, cash incentives and machinery (Happy Seeders, Balers) provided via direct transfers from an Emergency Central Fund.

5. Industrial Accountability

• Immediate suspension of high-emission industrial units until compliance.
  
• Third-party audits and public disclosure of industrial emissions.

6. Public Health Measures

• Free distribution of N95 masks through retail chains (like METRO), hospitals, schools, and police.
  
• Free nebulizer clinics and air shelters for children and the elderly.
  
• Dedicated hotline for health emergencies linked to pollution spikes.

7. Real-Time Monitoring and Enforcement

• Live AQI maps, updated hourly and validated by CPCB.
  
• National Air Emergency Command (NAEC) to set daily reduction targets (e.g., “reduce PM2.5 by 15% in 7 days”).
  
• If targets are missed: mandatory public explanation and automatic enforcement triggers.

8. Create an Emergency Pollution Penalty Fund

• All pollution fines deposited into this fund.
  
• Funds used for farmer subsidies, public air shelters, rapid deployment firefighting units, and mask distribution.

9. Fast-Track Environmental Justice

• Dedicated environmental courts/judges to hear air pollution cases within 48–72 hours.
  
• Political and administrative accountability: missed deliverables → transfers, suspensions, or public hearings.

10. Citizen Engagement

• Crowdsourced reporting app to flag illegal burning, dumping, or polluting vehicles.
  
• Reward verified reports that lead to enforcement actions.
  
• Transparent, participatory approach to protect the people’s right to breathe clean air.

This is about survival, not politics. Clean air is not a privilege — it’s a fundamental right.

Delhi NCR’s residents deserve more than promises; we deserve protection and accountability. If the state can mobilize every resource during a pandemic, it can do the same to save its people from poisoned air.

By signing this petition, you are demanding immediate, transparent, and results-driven action to reclaim the air we breathe.

Let’s act now — for our families, our health, and our future.