Context : India’s air pollution crisis
- 13 out of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India.
- Byrnihat is the most polluted city globally.
- Delhi remains the most polluted capital city worldwide.
- India is the 5th most polluted country in 2024.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
- Comparative Air Quality Trends
- India saw a 7% decline in PM2.5 levels (from 54.4 mgpcm in 2023 to 50.6 mgpcm in 2024).
- However, Delhi’s air pollution worsened, with PM2.5 levels rising from 102.4 mgpcm in 2023 to 108.3 mgpcm in 2024.
- Other severely polluted cities: 4 in Pakistan, 1 in China.
Factors Contributing to Delhi’s Pollution Crisis
- Year-Round Pollution Sources
- Vehicular emissions (Delhi has one of the highest vehicle densities in the world).
- Industrial emissions from NCR regions like Ghaziabad, Noida, and Faridabad.
- Construction dust due to rapid urban expansion.
- Winter-Specific Aggravating Factors
- Paddy-straw burning in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh.
- Meteorological conditions (low wind speed, temperature inversion trapping pollutants).
- Diwali firecrackers contributing to severe pollution spikes.
- Household emissions (biomass and coal burning for heating).
Implications of Severe Air Pollution
- Health Risks
- Increased cases of respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis, COPD).
- Higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer.
- PM2.5 exposure linked to reduced life expectancy.
- Economic and Social Impact
- Increased healthcare costs due to pollution-related illnesses.
- Productivity loss due to air-quality-induced health issues.
- Negative impact on tourism and international image.
- Environmental Consequences
- Reduced visibility and frequent smog episodes.
- Damage to crops and local ecosystems.
Way Forward: Policy Interventions and Solutions
- Strengthening Pollution Control Measures
- Strict enforcement of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
- Promotion of cleaner fuel alternatives (electric vehicles, bio-CNG).
- Phasing out older diesel vehicles.
- Agricultural & Industrial Reforms
- Large-scale adoption of crop residue management solutions to curb stubble burning.
- Transition to cleaner industrial technologies and emissions monitoring.
- Urban Planning and Public Transport
- Expansion of metro networks, buses, and non-motorized transport infrastructure.
- Implementation of congestion pricing and odd-even traffic schemes.
- Public Awareness & Citizen Participation
- Encouraging community-led initiatives like urban forests, rooftop gardens.
- Stricter firecracker regulations and behavioral change campaigns.
