Introduction
Air pollution has become one of India’s most urgent environmental challenges, affecting millions of lives across the country. Defined as the release of harmful chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials into the air, Air pollution in India not only harms human health but also impacts the economy, environment, and food systems.
Understanding and Measuring Air Quality in India: The National Air Quality Index (NAQI)
- To monitor and manage air quality, the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) was developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2014. This index tracks air pollution in India based on eight critical pollutants:
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- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
- Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Ozone (O3)
- Ammonia (NH3)
- Lead (Pb)
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- These pollutants are monitored at stations across urban and rural areas, providing essential information for the public and helping authorities respond quickly to health-threatening pollution levels. Through NAQI, India has a standardized way to assess and improve air quality nationwide.
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Leading Causes of Air Pollution in Delhi
- Stubble Burning: Seasonal stubble burning in neighboring states—Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan—releases pollutants, including methane, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. Studies, including a report by IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, and TERI, estimate that stubble burning contributes up to 35% of Delhi’s PM2.5 levels during the peak October-November season.
- Low Wind Speeds and Geographical Constraints: Low wind speeds in winter prevent the dispersion of pollutants, while Delhi’s landlocked geography means it lacks coastal breezes that naturally clear the air.
- Northwesterly Winds: Post-monsoon, Delhi faces northwesterly winds that bring dust from regions like the Gulf, northern Pakistan, and Afghanistan, increasing particulate matter.
- Temperature Inversion: In winter, the inversion height (the altitude beyond which pollutants cannot disperse) lowers, trapping pollutants close to the ground and worsening air quality.
- Vehicular Emissions: With one of the highest private vehicle counts in India, vehicular emissions in Delhi contribute around 40% of the city’s particulate pollution, as per 2018 inventory data.
- Construction and Waste Burning: Open waste burning and dust from construction sites further elevate particulate matter in Delhi-NCR.
- Diwali Fireworks: Firecracker usage during Diwali significantly spikes pollutant levels, adding to the existing winter pollution.
- Infrastructure Expansion: Rapid urban expansion focusing on real estate and road construction reduces green spaces, leading to higher pollution levels.
- Reduction of Green Spaces: Shrinking urban green cover, water bodies, and forests in favor of “grey” infrastructure reduces natural pollution filtering.
- Land Use Changes: Increased development and low afforestation efforts affect the city’s ecology, leading to increased emissions.
- Increased Car Sales: Expanding road networks encourage car ownership, adding to vehicular emissions and raising pollution.
- Unregulated Construction Activities: Construction activities contribute roughly 10% of Delhi’s pollution. Insufficient regulation leads to unchecked dust emissions.
Harmful Effects of Air Pollution in India
Economic Impacts:
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- Losses in Productivity and GDP: Air pollution impacts labor productivity, reducing GDP and per capita income. The Confederation of Indian Industry estimates annual business losses from pollution at $95 billion, or 3% of GDP.
- Decline in Agricultural and Forest Yields: Air pollution adversely affects crop yields and forest productivity, causing economic strain for farmers and forestry sectors.
Health Impacts:
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- Respiratory and Cardiovascular Diseases: Exposure to polluted air leads to respiratory infections, cardiovascular illnesses, and even lung cancer. The Global Burden of Disease study found that air pollution exposure contributed to approximately 1.8 million premature deaths and 49 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost in India in 2015.
- Chronic Health Issues: Long-term exposure to pollutants can cause asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases, particularly impacting vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
Environmental Consequences:
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- Acid Rain: Pollutants cause acid rain, which harms crops, soil, vegetation, and monuments such as the Taj Mahal.
- Eutrophication of Water Bodies: Increased nitrogen from pollutants leads to eutrophication in water bodies, harming aquatic ecosystems.
Government Initiatives to Reduce Air Pollution in Delhi
- In response to rising pollution levels, the government has introduced various measures, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region:
Crop Residue Management Scheme:
- This scheme provides subsidies for equipment like the Turbo Happy Seeder, Super SMS attachments, rotavators, and superseeders to help farmers manage crop residue sustainably.
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):
- Established under the 2021 Act, the CAQM is responsible for improving air quality in NCR, focusing on managing stubble burning and other sources of pollution.
Reducing Vehicular Emissions:
- The shift from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards, promotion of electric vehicles (EVs), and the odd-even rule have all aimed to curb emissions from vehicles.
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):
- GRAP enforces measures like shutting down power plants and banning construction activities during critical pollution periods.
Way Forward
- Expand AQI Monitoring Stations: Increased AQI stations, especially sensor-based ones, can provide hyperlocal data, allowing authorities to act immediately in high-pollution zones.
- Empower Authorities with Real-Time Data: Hyperlocal data enables quicker enforcement. For instance, if construction is detected violating norms, authorities can quickly penalize offenders, reducing pollution.
- National Nodal Authority for Air Pollution: A centralized authority with constitutional powers can streamline cross-state coordination, holding stakeholders accountable with clear timelines for pollution reduction.
- Establish AQI Commissions in Major Cities: Cities like Mumbai and Chennai would benefit from AQI commissions similar to Delhi’s CAQM. Regional approaches, such as those seen in Los Angeles and Mexico City, can offer models for localized pollution management.
- Stricter Guidelines for Industrial Emissions: SEBI’s Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework can ensure uniform reporting, target setting, and transparency in emission disclosures across the value chain.
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- Incentivize Clean Air Investments: Clean air initiatives in green mobility and renewable energy open up significant investment opportunities, promoting environmental and economic benefits.
- Funding and Training for Pollution Control: The Sixteenth Finance Commission could prioritize funding for urban pollution control, while local pollution control boards need resources and training for effective enforcement.
- Public Engagement and Incentives: Educating farmers, businesses, and citizens on the economic and health benefits of pollution control, and offering incentives for sustainable practices, can foster public participation in pollution reduction efforts. This aligns with the government’s LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative.
- Enhance Public Transportation: Public transportation systems should be expanded to achieve targets like Delhi’s Master Plan goal of 80% public transport usage by 2041. Parking taxes and area-based management plans can also disincentivize private vehicle use.
- Limit Crop Residue Burning: Sustainable practices like crop rotation, improved irrigation methods, and straw markets can reduce stubble burning, a significant seasonal pollution contributor.
- Comprehensive Waste and Construction Management: Systematic control of construction debris and waste disposal can significantly lower dust and pollutant levels in the air and water.
- Adopt Global Best Practices: Lessons from London’s vehicle restrictions, Beijing’s annual car sales limits, and Singapore’s efficient public transport model can guide improvements in India’s urban air quality management.
