Every year, as winter approaches, the air quality in Delhi, India, begins to decline significantly. It’s a concerning issue because of its severe effects on both the environment and human health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has even slated Delhi as the world’s most polluted city. This is accompanied by alarming statistics showing that annually, air pollution in India is responsible for 1.5 million deaths. These deaths largely spring from chronic respiratory diseases and asthma, making air pollution the fifth largest killer in India.
The Reasons Behind Delhi’s Poor Air Quality
- Stubble Burning: Delhi’s border with the states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh is a significant contributor to its air pollution problems. During October-November, farmers in these states tend to burn rice stubbles, an activity that results in approximately 35 million tonnes of crops being burned annually. These pollutants and dust particles are then transported by the wind towards Delhi.
- Vehicular Emission: With over 9 million registered vehicles, vehicular emission is a major factor contributing to the declining air quality in Delhi, as found by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
- Weather and High Density: Overpopulation is a crucial aspect that exacerbates pollutions. With a density of more than 11000 people per square kilometer, the pollutants and dust particles in the air become stagnant and create smog during the winter season.
- Infrastructure Deficit and Construction Activities: Due to the deficit in public transport and infrastructure investment, roads become congested, elevating the pollution level. Moreover, large-scale construction activities and open waste burning at landfill sites adds to air pollution.
Other Factors Contributing to Air Pollution
- Thermal Power Plants and Industries: Industrial activities and garbage dumps are significant contributors to air pollution. Likewise, despite the ban on cracker sales, firecrackers during Diwali contribute significantly to the smog in Delhi.
- Diesel Generators and Dust Storms: Due to power cuts, many housing societies and businesses turn to diesel generators for power supply. These generators account for about 15% of the city’s air pollution. Additionally, dust storms from Gulf countries also worsen the existing conditions.
Impact of Air Pollution: A Snapshot
| Health Impact | Environmental Impact |
|---|---|
| 1.5 million deaths per year | Reduced visibility |
| High death rate from respiratory diseases and asthma | Formation of acid rain |
Remedial Measures Implemented by the Government
The government has taken several steps to combat the rising air pollution. For tackling stubble burning, farmers are given subsidies to buy Turbo Happy Seeder (THS), a machine that uproots the stubble and drills wheat seeds. The stubble and straw are also procured for use in biofuel plants and energy generation plants.
A Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented which includes measures like shutting down the Badarpur Thermal Power Plant, and banning construction activities. A pollution forecast system has also been launched recently in Delhi. In addition, the central government released the National Air Quality Index (AQI) for public information.
To quickly shift to cleaner fuels, the timeline to implement BS-VI grade fuels was advanced to April 1, 2018, from the original deadline of April 2020. Other measures include the construction of expressways for bypassing traffic, banning the burning of leaves and biomass, and imposing ‘green tax’. Industries have also been directed to install online continuous air pollution monitoring devices.
