ThePrint ThePrintPod: India wasn’t always like this. Things have never been as bad as they are today
Dec 14, 2025
Citizens are grappling with the decline of governance in India, particularly evident in Delhi's worsening air quality. Shekhar Gupta criticizes the lack of political will, comparing India unfavorably to China in terms of environmental policy. He highlights the failures of GRAP and the complicity of politicians in unregulated development. The discussion also touches on monopolistic practices in the airline industry and corruption in Goa's planning processes. Gupta's reflections lead to a sense of pessimism about the future and the public's memory of core governance issues.
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Air Pollution Is A Governance Failure
- Shekhar Gupta argues Delhi's toxic air is not inevitable and stems largely from bad governance rather than geography alone.
- He cites examples and comparisons (like China) to show decisive policy and enforcement can clean urban air.
Enforce Pollution Rules Relentlessly
- Implement known measures and enforce existing rules like GRAP to control pollution spikes.
- Do not let vested interests (transporters, builders) block enforcement of pollution controls.
Airline Duopoly Harms Travelers
- Shekhar Gupta recounts the Indigo crisis showing a private carrier controls 65% of domestic capacity.
- He links political choices to concentrated market power that harms consumers and competition.