Throughout history, almost all the great capitals of fast-expanding economies have suffered from pollution. Beijing and Delhi are no exceptions. However, the Chinese Communist party has been able to use its draconian powers to shut down polluting plants, move whole factories out of the metropolitan area and organize traffic rostering. Such moves are proving altogether more challenging for the authorities in Delhi.

Yet pollution levels are dangerously high, this week reaching 30 times the World Health Organization’s recommended levels in some parts of the Indian capital. The Indian Medical Association is deeply concerned and said Delhi was in a “medical emergency”. It has pressed for the cancellation on health grounds of the city’s half marathon on November 19.

Much of the blame is being placed on the Badapur power station in the south of the city which officials say produced over 80 percent of Delhi’s most dangerous particulate matter pollution but only eight percent of the capital’s power. There is no doubt the Badapur plant is an important culprit and has therefore been closed, probably never to reopen. But there are many other key sources of the deadly smog that this week reduced visibility to such an extent that people could not even see high-rise buildings a few hundred meters away.

Poorly maintained trucks and busses, hundreds of thousands of motorbikes and tut-tuk motorcycle taxis belch out fumes. The city’s snarled-up traffic means that engines are running constantly as vehicles make their slow progress through the congested streets. It is no help that bicycle rickshaws and slow-moving carts drawn by men and beasts add to the huge delays even on highways where they are not officially permitted.

Ironically, shutting down the Badapur power plant is likely to increase another source of pollution. Delhi’s unreliable electricity supply means that even small businesses have turned to their own generators to keep the lights on and equipment working.

There is an economic as well as a health cost to the pollution that is gripping Delhi. Whichever way it is calculated, the endless traffic jams waste money as well as time. Delhi’s top hotels may be among the best in the world but international investors looking out at the smog-wrapped capital from their air-conditioned comfort are surely unimpressed. In the contest with other Indian cities for new investment, Delhi is struggling in terms of cleanliness, efficiency and quality of life.

But the Delhi doomsayers lack perspective because India’s chaotic and unhealthy capital is evidence of the country’s remarkable economic success. Few city authorities anywhere in the world have the luxury of total control. They must necessarily act piecemeal to improve the lives of their citizens. Those who run Delhi are currently on the receiving end of angry criticism from many quarters. But their task would be made far easier if people actually obeyed some of the existing regulations, such as making sure engines and generators were properly maintained and did not pump out noxious smoke. An unremitting clampdown against such violators is long overdue.

Moreover, the city authorities need to mount a major publicity campaign to mobilize their citizens to take individual responsibility for their own contribution to pollution and to press others to do likewise. This is an opportunity for the people of India’s booming capital to demonstrate their vitality and determination.