Social media goes berserk as New Delhi struggles to breathe

New Delhi, it seems, is choking to death day by day. The problems are unlimited, but there are no apparent solutions. The present government of New Delhi has tried to execute its pitch of reducing the pollution levels in the air in the national capital, but they seem to have failed in a big way, thanks to the bureaucratic and political interventions. From designing the odd-even rule to finding more ecological ways of power generation, the government has left no stones unturned to ensure that the citizens lead a healthy life.

Needless to say, Delhi's environmental sustainability, ecology and air quality have been under immense pressure given the bumper population boost in the last few years. Experts believe that the burden on the city has multiplied, thus deteriorating the condition of the city rapidly as it suffers from the urban heat island effect, compounded by the effects of urbanisation, unequal rural growth and climate change.

The political apathy that follows reaches an alarming level as unified planning, scientific thinking,  engineering innovation, administrative compliance and cross-national cooperation fail to work together toward the air pollution control in the city. 

Incidentally, the efforts made by the Delhi Government were single-sided and lacked backing with the bureaucrats standing in the way with dharnas and strikes. The strike ahead of the odd-even execution is a case in point. While the public supported the odd-even regulation enthusiastically, there was pressure from all political quarters to plug the initiative. The Delhi government, however, did not stop at that. According to an article by the FIRSTPOST, it cracked down upon waste burning at over 550 sites, apart from controlling the dust due to improper construction through 1300 fines, even against government organisations. Public transport was encouraged and it indeed received an overwhelming response on odd-even days. 

All said and done, the Delhi government has to combat forces that are much more bothersome and given its reputation, it would certainly take some time before things, including the pollution check, will fall back in place.

Meanwhile, social media is going berserk with hilarious tweets and messages from people across the country. Some, even combined digs at the Indigo incident and the pollution in Delhi. 

Delhi Pollution (Nov-Dec)
Pune Water (Apr-May)
Mumbai Infra (July-Aug)

We worry, scream, shout about crisis issues only for a few weeks a year ...rest of the year conveniently forget, 'Chalta Hai', 'What Problem?'....until next year! :(

— Amit Paranjape (@aparanjape) November 11, 2017

Cow is the only animal which inhales & exhales oxygen. Thus, pollution in Delhi is a direct consequence of the declining population of cows. Cows are declining because Muslims & Dalits eat beef. Ergo, Muslims & Dalits responsible for the pollution in Delhi.

— Anubhav Singh (@lucifer_damned) November 11, 2017

Now this is called perfect candid pic of the year.. Pre wedding photoshoot... 😎 😎 #DelhiSmog #delhipollution #DelhiChokes #delhiAirpollution pic.twitter.com/CnokwwRt2Y

— Nandita Ghoshal (@nandita_ghoshal) November 10, 2017

"When two elephants fight,it's only grass underneath that gets impacted"-Delhites paying price of tussle btw #AAP & #BJP #DelhiPollution

— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) November 13, 2017

#DelhiSmog and #delhipollution remind me of us having #FrogSyndrom where the frog in lukewarm water with rising temp does not jump out n keep on adjustingrealise! By the time it decides to jump out it its too late!#Actnow 4 #PollutionFreeIndia

— Rajendra Ratnoo IAS (@rratnoo) November 10, 2017

#Gurugram #DelhiSmog #DelhiPollution
Smoking cigarettes is a personal choice..not a public affair!! Go home #delhi you're drunk, I mean high!!!

(This is at 1 in the afternoon🏭) pic.twitter.com/8XCucInWYJ

— SaniaShahbazHasnain (@saniahsnn) November 13, 2017

Breathing is the new capital punishment. #DelhiPollution

— Praveen (@Pravmaga) November 12, 2017

Yesterday I was playing #Counterstrike on world server. One of the other player coughed with his headphones on. All the remaining players asked him "Bhaai, tu #Delhi se hai kya?" 😂😋#Lol #Lolwa#DelhiSmog #DelhiPollution #delhiAirpollution

— Deval (@deval_g) November 12, 2017

Irony of Delhi air pollution pic.twitter.com/UgwrQ7fZK2

— Jiba Lamichhane (@Jibalamichhane) November 11, 2017

What are you doing about the air pollution problem in Delhi?

Kejriwal:
- Writing letters
- Closing schools
- Blaming Modi
- Blaming Cars
- Blaming Buses
- Blaming Laura
- Blaming Lasoon

But what are you exactly doing?

Kejriwal: pic.twitter.com/YY3622iXh6

— PhD in Bakchodi (@Atheist_Krishna) November 8, 2017

If our Prime Minister actually stayed in Delhi for any length of time then perhaps action to mitigate air pollution might be taken.

— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) November 7, 2017

Travelling to Delhi via flight is like being in Khatron ke Khiladi

Either the smog will kill you, or if you’re saved, Indigo crew will beat you to a pulp.

— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) November 10, 2017

Arbaz- Delhi mein situation bohot dangerous hai

Salman- Kaise?

Arbaz- Bohot #smog hai. Log bina dekhe gaadi chala rahe hain

Salman- Toh?

— Bollywood Gandu (@BollywoodGandu) November 8, 2017

CMs of Delhi & Punjab on Pollution. pic.twitter.com/hzhftNUhos

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) November 9, 2017

*Lands in Delhi*
Me: Kuch b keh rahe hai log. Kidhar hai itna smog Delhi me!
Friend: Bhai kidhar dek k baat kar raha hai? Me peeche khada hu

— P.R. (@pr_akash_raj) November 6, 2016

*2 guys fighting in Delhi*

Guy1: “Dekh loonga tujhe”

Guy2: “Lol. Not possible”#DelhiSmog

— GRV (@MildlyClassic) November 7, 2017

Report " Living in Delhi is just like smoking 50 cigarettes in a day "

Jaitley " nikaalo 1000-1000 rupaye sab "

— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) November 8, 2017

Men smoke cigarettes.
Real mean smoke cigars.
Legends live in Delhi..#RTifagree ;) 😘

— Poonam Pandey (@iPoonampandey) November 10, 2017

Tiger Zinda hai. 5 din ke liye Delhi bhejo apne aap mar jayega.

— pnkj (@AskThePankazzzz) November 7, 2017

4 Seasons of Delhi:
1. People are dying of Heat
2. People are dying of Dengue/Chikungunya
2. People are dying of Pollution
3. People are dying of Cold Wave

— Aladdin (@Alllahdin) November 10, 2017

CM of India........Cuz Delhi is India & India is Delhi. pic.twitter.com/wfBS0QMCb8

— PhD in Bakchodi (@Atheist_Krishna) November 7, 2017

Kejriwal is a visionary leader that by mere announcing the #OddEven scheme, smog has gone, blue sky all over, flowers are blooming, oxygen in abundance, children are happily breathing & dancing

— Ra_Bies (@Ra_Bies) November 9, 2017

Delhiite: Smog hasn't really made much of a difference! Before smog also we could never see Kejriwal working. #DelhiSmog

— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) November 8, 2017