Context
Action must be taken year-round to address Delhi's air pollution issue.
 
First Awareness and Policy Measures: 
·         Determination of Vehicular Pollution: In 1996, the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) determined that a major contributor to Delhi's air pollution was vehicle pollution. Stricter emission regulations, improved fuel quality, and a focus on public transportation were all suggested.
·         Emission Standards and Cleaner Fuels: Over the course of three decades, these proposals were put into practice with the introduction of cleaner fuels, the enforcement of progressive emission standards, and a notable switch to CNG for a variety of vehicles.
·         Urban Mass Transit: The largest urban mass transit system in the nation is the Delhi Metro.

Recognition Worldwide and Mainstreaming Issues:  
·         Delhi is deemed the most polluted capital by a WHO report: The WHO report in 2014 that named Delhi as the most polluted capital marked a turning point, and high-profile events like US President Barack Obama's visit during extreme smog followed.
·         Both Local and Worldwide Focus: The increased attention spurred coordinated efforts on a local and international level to address the growing issue of air pollution, particularly in Delhi, and resulted in a number of resolution-focused initiatives.
·         Growing Number of Continuous Monitoring Stations and Identified Pollution Sources: From five to more than forty, continuous monitoring stations have been installed. These stations have highlighted a variety of pollution sources, such as industry, dust, burning waste, and seasonal events like farm fires and celebratory firecrackers.

Effects and Ongoing Difficulties:  
·         Health Consequences and Ongoing Actions: Research on pollution has revealed serious health hazards, highlighting the need for ongoing anti-pollution initiatives.
·         Year-Round Approach and Environmental Context: Understanding how the environmental context affects pollution necessitates a long-term, all-encompassing approach.
·         Interventions by the Supreme Court and Policy Based on Ecological Knowledge: Recent judicial interventions on matters such as stubble burning underscore the need for environmentally conscious policies in a variety of sectors to be effective over the long run.

LTX Mains Question: 
Q. "Explain Delhi's air pollution issues and potential solutions. How can policy interventions and environmental considerations support long-term mitigation strategies?"