Delhi Air Pollution
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Air Pollution
Source: TH
Context: Delhi’s air pollution crisis is worsening, with high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and other pollutants creating severe health and environmental issues.
Delhi Air Pollution Status:
• Air Quality Index (AQI): Frequently hovers between 300-500, indicating “very poor” to “severe” air quality.
• PM2.5 Dominance: Major contributor to unhealthy AQI levels.
• Seasonal Variation: Worse during winters due to temperature inversion and slow wind speeds.
• Health Impact: Significant rise in cardio-respiratory and neurological issues.
Causes of air pollution in Delhi:
• Natural causes:
• Temperature inversion: Traps pollutants close to the surface during winters. Low wind speed: Reduces dispersion of pollutants. Dust storms: Transport particulate matter from surrounding regions.
• Temperature inversion: Traps pollutants close to the surface during winters.
• Low wind speed: Reduces dispersion of pollutants.
• Dust storms: Transport particulate matter from surrounding regions.
• Anthropogenic causes:
• Vehicle emissions: Accounts for 58% of PM2.5 levels. Stubble burning: Seasonal contribution from neighbouring states. Industrial emissions: Pollutants from power plants and factories. Construction activities: Dust and particulate emissions. Waste burning: Unregulated burning of municipal and agricultural waste.
• Vehicle emissions: Accounts for 58% of PM2.5 levels.
• Stubble burning: Seasonal contribution from neighbouring states.
• Industrial emissions: Pollutants from power plants and factories.
• Construction activities: Dust and particulate emissions.
• Waste burning: Unregulated burning of municipal and agricultural waste.
Consequences of Air Pollution:
• Health impacts: Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, asthma, and lung cancer. Vulnerable populations (children, elderly) disproportionately affected. Cognitive decline linked to prolonged exposure.
• Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, asthma, and lung cancer.
• Vulnerable populations (children, elderly) disproportionately affected.
• Cognitive decline linked to prolonged exposure.
• Environmental damage: Reduced visibility, soil acidification, and water pollution. Impacts biodiversity, including urban greenery.
• Reduced visibility, soil acidification, and water pollution.
• Impacts biodiversity, including urban greenery.
• Economic costs: Healthcare expenses for pollution-related illnesses. Productivity loss due to poor health.
• Healthcare expenses for pollution-related illnesses.
• Productivity loss due to poor health.
Government measures to reduce pollution:
• Initiatives for Controlling Air Pollution
• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Aims to reduce particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) by 20-30% by 2024 in 122 cities. Focuses on long-term measures, including city-specific action plans.
• Aims to reduce particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) by 20-30% by 2024 in 122 cities.
• Focuses on long-term measures, including city-specific action plans.
• System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR): Provides real-time air quality monitoring and forecasting. Helps public and authorities take timely measures to combat pollution.
• Provides real-time air quality monitoring and forecasting.
• Helps public and authorities take timely measures to combat pollution.
• Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): A statutory body to monitor and control air pollution in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas. Facilitates inter-state coordination for pollution management.
• A statutory body to monitor and control air pollution in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas.
• Facilitates inter-state coordination for pollution management.
• Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): Implements emergency measures like banning diesel generators and stopping construction activities based on AQI levels.
• Implements emergency measures like banning diesel generators and stopping construction activities based on AQI levels.
• Initiatives for reducing vehicular pollution:
• BS-VI Emission Standards: Strict emission norms for vehicles to reduce pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
• Strict emission norms for vehicles to reduce pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
• National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP): Promotes the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Includes subsidies and incentives for EV buyers and manufacturers.
• Promotes the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
• Includes subsidies and incentives for EV buyers and manufacturers.
• Promotion of Public Transport: Expansion of metro networks, introduction of e-buses, and carpooling incentives.
• Expansion of metro networks, introduction of e-buses, and carpooling incentives.
• Legal and policy support:
• Right to Pollution-Free Environment: Declared as part of the fundamental Right to Life (Article 21) by the Supreme Court in C. Mehta vs. Union of India.
Resolving the issue of air pollution:
• Promote public transport: Expand metro, bus services, and electric fleets with last-mile connectivity.
• Adopt clean energy: Transition to solar and wind energy in industries and households.
• Enforce green construction practices: Strict monitoring of dust control and material usage.
• Encourage behavioural changes: Promote carpooling and ban single-use plastic.
• Enhance monitoring and data use: Leverage AI and IoT for real-time air quality tracking and actionable insights.
Conclusion
Delhi’s air pollution crisis demands comprehensive solutions, combining government action, community participation, and sustainable practices. Only a multi-stakeholder approach can protect public health and restore environmental balance.
Insta Links:
• Air Pollution
• Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards? (UPSC-2021)