Why in News: With elections bringing political alignment across Delhi and neighboring States (Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan), July and August offer a window to prepare coordinated air quality interventions ahead of the severe autumn-winter pollution season.
What is Air Pollution?
- Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful chemicals, particulates, or biological materials in the atmosphere that can cause discomfort, disease, or death to humans, animals, and plants.
Measurement of Air Pollution in India
- India measures air pollution using the National Air Quality Index (NAQI), developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2014.
Key Features of NAQI:
- It provides a comprehensive summary of air quality through a single index value.
- The index categorizes air quality into six color-coded levels: Good, Satisfactory, Moderate, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.
Pollutants Monitored Under NAQI:
1. Particulate Matter (PM10)
2. Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
3. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)
4. Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)
5. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
6. Ozone (O₃)
7. Ammonia (NH₃)
8. Lead (Pb)
Reasons for Rising Air Pollution in Delhi
1. Stubble Burning
- Major contributor from Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
- Releases PM2.5, CH₄, CO, VOCs, and carcinogens.
- IIT report estimates up to 35% of PM2.5 in peak season.
2. Meteorological Factors
- Low wind speed in winters prevents pollutant dispersion.
- Temperature inversion traps pollutants near the ground.
- Landlocked geography limits natural pollutant clearance.
- Northwesterly winds bring dust from Gulf region and Afghanistan.
3. Vehicular Emissions
- Delhi has one of the highest numbers of private vehicles.
- Contributes about 40% of PM pollution (CPCB 2018).
4. Construction and Waste Burning
- Open burning of waste and construction dust contribute ~10%.
- Poor regulation of construction sites worsens the issue.
5. Firecrackers
- Burst during festivals like Diwali, significantly worsening air quality.
6. Urban Planning Issues
- Focus on roads and buildings over green infrastructure.
- Loss of water bodies, green cover, and urban forests.
- Promotion of large vehicles and road widening encourages car use.
7. Land Use Changes
- Encroachment on open spaces and reduced afforestation.
- Expansion of “grey infrastructure” over ecological zones.
Governance Challenges:
- Fragmented authority: Different agencies manage different parts of Delhi roads.
- Lack of uniform rules across States: Varying fuel standards and vehicle age norms undermine gains.
- Weak implementation of existing city/state action plans.
Initiatives to Reduce Air Pollution in Delhi
1. Crop Residue Management (CRM) Scheme
- Provides subsidies to farmers for machines like Turbo Happy Seeder, Super SMS, rotavators, etc., to curb stubble burning.
2. Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
- A statutory body (established in 2021) that coordinates and implements pollution control strategies in Delhi-NCR, especially targeting stubble burning.
3. Vehicular Pollution Control
- Implementation of BS-VI emission norms.
- Promotion of Electric Vehicles (EVs).
- Odd-even vehicle policy to reduce traffic emissions.
4. Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
- A set of emergency measures such as banning construction activities, shutting down thermal power plants, and restricting vehicle use during severe pollution episodes.
5. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):
- Provides city-based action plans
International Commitments: India is a signatory to-
- Stockholm Declaration (1972)
- Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (1979)
- Rio Declaration (1992)
- Malé Declaration (1998): Calls for regional scientific collaboration and joint action.
However, India lacks legal backing for regional enforcement, making cooperation voluntary.
Way Forward
1. Strengthen Monitoring & Accountability
- Expand AQI monitoring network by installing both standard and sensor-based hyperlocal stations as per NCAP.
2. Institutional & Governance Reforms
- Constitute a National Nodal Authority with constitutional backing to ensure coordinated inter-state and inter-agency action.
- Establish independent commissions (like CAQM) in other metro cities and adopt a regional/airshed approach, as seen in China and Mexico City.
3. Regulate Industrial Emissions
- Tighten industrial reporting norms using SEBI’s BRSR framework to mandate emission disclosures, mitigation targets, and disaggregated pollution data.
4. Promote Clean Air as an Investment Opportunity
- Position clean air efforts within green investment sectors like electric mobility and clean cooking to attract finance and reduce fossil fuel dependence.
5. Financial & Human Resource Strengthening
- Finance Commission support for air pollution control initiatives by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
- Strengthen and train manpower, especially in State Pollution Control Boards, to take decisive action.
6. Citizen Engagement & Behavioural Change
- Create awareness about economic and health benefits of clean air, especially among farmers (e.g. sustainable alternatives to stubble burning).
- Promote LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative to encourage responsible consumption patterns.
7. Urban Mobility & Infrastructure
- Achieve public transport targets (e.g., Delhi’s 80% motorised trip share by 2041).
8. Agricultural Solutions
- Limit stubble burning through crop diversification, improved irrigation/harvesting, and biomass market development.
10. International Best Practices
- Learn from London, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong: vehicle quotas, congestion pricing, and high-quality public transport.
11. Temporary Relief Measures
- Explore cloud seeding cautiously for emergency response during extremely high pollution episodes.
UPSC RELEVANCE
GS Paper 2 (Governance & Polity):
- Role and challenges of institutions like CAQM in inter-state coordination.
- Legal frameworks and judicial interventions on air quality.
GS Paper 3 (Environment, Economy & Science):
- Air pollution’s impact on public health and economy.
- Technological interventions like AQI monitoring, clean energy transition.
Mains Practice Question
Q. Despite various government initiatives, air pollution remains a persistent challenge in Delhi. Examine the reasons behind this and suggest a comprehensive strategy for sustainable air quality management in the National Capital Region.