India's Air Emergency: Experts Blame Lack Of Political Will As Life Expectancy Drops In Delhi

This special report dissects the severe air quality crisis gripping the nation, with a focus on Delhi NCR, where life expectancy has reportedly been reduced by nearly 12 years. Medical experts reveal alarming data, indicating that 40% of children in the region suffer from impaired lung functions, likening the act of breathing to smoking multiple cigarettes daily. The discussion highlights a failure of governance and a disconnect between policy and execution, with panelists arguing that short-term measures like cloud seeding are ineffective. Instead, they call for a comprehensive five-year action plan with sector-specific targets, a massive overhaul of public transport, and a shift to source-based governance. The program explores the challenges of transitioning to electric mobility and the urgent need for regulatory mandates to establish clean air as a fundamental right for all citizens.