India's Air Pollution: Expert Calls for Systemic, Long-Term Action.

• Expert Amit Bhatt emphasizes that fighting air pollution in India requires consistent, long-term, and systemic action, moving beyond isolated city-level measures.
• The Indian government questions global air quality rankings, stating WHO guidelines are advisory and India has its own National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
• Independent monitoring indicates Indian cities need a 50-70% reduction in PM2.5 to meet India's guidelines, and all cities fail to meet WHO standards.
• Poor air quality contributes to health issues like asthma and pulmonary diseases, highlighting the need for robust scientific studies to inform policy.
• A regional, "airshed" approach is crucial for effective air pollution control, supported by government-funded scientific research and data-driven action.

Why It Matters: India's air pollution needs systemic, long-term action for public health.