In a surprising move that highlights the severity of Delhi's air crisis, Cars24 CEO Vikram Chopra has publicly urged the government to implement car restrictions despite his business depending on automobile sales. The executive made this emotional appeal through an opinion piece in the Indian Express, framing it as a personal rather than professional stance.
A Father's Plea Against Pollution
Vikram Chopra revealed his personal motivations behind this unusual request, stating he writes not as a CEO but as a concerned family man. He described how his five-year-old child questions why the sky appears dirty and cannot play outdoors safely. His elderly parents, aged 80, avoid going outside because the polluted air causes throat irritation and breathing difficulties.
The Cars24 CEO emphasized that this isn't about political theories but about real health consequences affecting his family. He expressed the painful reality that Delhi residents refuse to accept minor inconveniences that could significantly improve air quality, calling this sense of entitlement the true pollutant damaging the city's atmosphere.
Delhi's Alarming Air Quality Situation
The national capital recorded an Air Quality Index reading of 335 on Wednesday morning, placing it in the 'very poor' category according to Central Pollution Control Board standards. Meteorological forecasts indicate the situation may worsen, with AQI levels potentially reaching the 'severe' category over the next five days.
The CPCB categorizes AQI levels as follows: 0-50 as good, 51-100 as satisfactory, 101-200 as moderate, 201-300 as poor, 301-400 as very poor, and 401-500 as severe. Delhi's current reading of 335 demonstrates the critical nature of the air pollution emergency.
Immediate Action Demanded
Chopra advocated for swift, decisive measures without excessive deliberation. He specifically recommended restricting private vehicles, potentially eliminating diesel use for several months, reinstating the odd-even vehicle scheme, and immediately shutting down construction sites that violate environmental norms instead of issuing repeated warnings.
The CEO proposed treating industrial pollution as a health emergency rather than negotiating with chronic offenders as delicate stakeholders. His strong position reflects the urgency required to address what has become an annual environmental crisis affecting millions of Delhi residents.
Visual evidence from Wednesday morning showed familiar winter scenes across Delhi-NCR, with thick, toxic smog enveloping various parts of the metropolitan region, reducing visibility and creating hazardous breathing conditions.
GRAP Regulations Modified
In related developments, the Commission for Air Quality Management decided to revoke Stage 3 restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan while reinforcing measures under GRAP Stage 2. The commission had initially activated Stage 3 earlier this month when pollution trends showed significant deterioration.
GRAP Stage 3 implementation typically includes banning non-essential construction projects and imposing restrictions on industries using heavily polluting fuels. The partial withdrawal indicates some improvement, though air quality remains dangerously poor for public health.
