The Clean Air Challenge: Pollution-Free Zones In Ludhiana

The industrial hub of Ludhiana, often referred to as 'the Manchester of India', is among the top ten most polluted cities in India. With a population of 1.6 million, the city's air quality is largely affected by vehicle emissions, industrial materials, and countless factories. In 2024, Ludhiana was ranked 40th among the world's most polluted cities, with an annual average PM 2.5 concentration of 55 micrograms per cubic meter. This level of air quality can cause health issues for certain groups, including young children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Despite the implementation of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019, which aims to reduce particulate matter concentrations, Ludhiana continues to face challenges in improving its air quality.

Ludhiana's air pollution levels are above the national safe limit

Ludhiana, often referred to as 'the Manchester of India', is one of the largest cities in the state of Punjab, India, and a heavily industrialised hub. The city's air pollution levels are a cause for concern, with data indicating that it consistently breaches safe pollution thresholds.

According to the Air Quality Report 2024 by AQI.in, Ludhiana ranked 40th among the world's most polluted cities, a significant jump from its ranking of 218th in 2023. The report highlighted that the PM 2.5 value in Ludhiana was 55 micrograms per cubic meter, which exposed residents to air pollution levels equivalent to smoking 912.5 cigarettes annually. This is above the national safe limit of 40 μg/m³, which is set to protect people from serious health risks such as asthma, lung disease, and heart problems.

The city's high pollution levels can be attributed to various sources, with vehicle emissions and industrial activities being prominent contributors. With a population of around 1.6 million, the city's roads are congested with vehicles, including heavy-duty lorries and trucks transporting industrial goods. These vehicles often run on poorer quality and diesel fuels, which emit higher levels of pollution. Additionally, the numerous factories in and around the city release significant amounts of pollution into the atmosphere, with many lacking stringent international pollution regulations.

The particulate matter PM10, linked to serious respiratory and cardiovascular health issues, has been found to exceed safe limits on multiple occasions in Ludhiana. The city's PM10 levels averaged 100 μg/m³ in February and 103 μg/m³ in March, nearly twice the standard limit. These figures underscore the severity of the city's air pollution crisis and the urgent need for intervention.

While there may not be any completely pollution-free areas in Ludhiana due to the pervasive nature of air pollution, some areas might experience lower pollution levels due to factors such as distance from major emission sources or favourable wind patterns. However, without specific data and monitoring stations, it is challenging to identify such areas conclusively.

The city's air quality is affected by vehicle emissions

Ludhiana, located in the Indian state of Punjab, is one of the largest cities in the state and a heavily industrialised hub. It has been ranked among the top ten most polluted cities in India and 40th in the world, with air pollution levels exceeding safe limits. The city's air quality is significantly impacted by vehicle emissions, which contribute to the high levels of pollutants in the air.

Vehicle emissions are a major source of pollution in Ludhiana, with a high number of vehicles on the roads and the use of poorer quality fuels and diesel fuels. The large population of around 1.6 million people, as of the 2011 census, results in a significant number of vehicles, including heavy-duty lorries and trucks transporting industrial goods. These vehicles release pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), with nitrogen dioxide being more prevalent in areas with heavy traffic. The presence of these pollutants in the air poses risks to human health, particularly for sensitive groups such as young children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

In addition to vehicle emissions, the city's industrial activities also contribute to air pollution. Various factories in and around Ludhiana release emissions into the atmosphere, often without adhering to stringent international pollution regulations. This combination of vehicle and industrial emissions has led to Ludhiana's poor air quality and its ranking as one of the most polluted cities in India and globally.

To address the issue of air pollution in Ludhiana, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019. This programme aims to reduce particulate matter (PM) concentrations and improve air quality in 131 cities, including Ludhiana. The targets include achieving a 20% to 30% reduction in PM concentrations by 2024 and up to a 40% reduction or meeting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by 2025-26.

Despite these efforts, Ludhiana continues to struggle with poor air quality, as evident by its ranking among the most polluted cities. Environmental activists have raised concerns, highlighting the health risks associated with air pollution for residents. It is crucial for authorities to implement long-term measures and for residents to take action to improve the city's air quality and reduce the impact of vehicle emissions on the environment and public health.

It is one of the most polluted cities in India

Ludhiana, located in the Indian state of Punjab, is one of the most polluted cities in India. It is a heavily industrialised hub, often referred to as 'the Manchester of India'. The city's air quality has been a cause for concern, with pollution levels exceeding safe limits. According to reports, Ludhiana was ranked as the 40th most polluted city in the world, based on annual average Air Quality Index (AQI) data. The main sources of pollution in Ludhiana are vehicle emissions and industrial activities.

Vehicle emissions contribute significantly to the city's poor air quality. With a population of around 1.6 million people, hundreds of thousands of vehicles populate the roads, many of them running on poor-quality and diesel fuels, which produce high levels of pollution. Heavy-duty vehicles, such as lorries and trucks, are constantly ferrying industrial goods in and out of the city. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are common pollutants released from vehicles, with NO2 being more prominent in areas with high traffic volumes.

In addition to vehicle emissions, the numerous factories located in and around Ludhiana release significant amounts of pollution into the atmosphere. Many of these industrial sites lack stringent international pollution regulations, resulting in uncontrolled chemical emissions. The combination of vehicle fumes and industrial pollution has led to a consistent breach of safe pollution thresholds, particularly for PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter. These fine particles can have serious respiratory and cardiovascular health impacts on residents.

The effects of air pollution in Ludhiana are not limited to environmental concerns but also extend to public health. According to the Air Quality Report 2024, the PM2.5 value in Ludhiana was 55 micrograms per cubic meter. This level of exposure is equivalent to each resident smoking 912.5 cigarettes annually without actually smoking any. High pollution levels can cause breathing discomfort, especially for people with pre-existing lung, asthma, or heart conditions. Young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are also at higher risk of health complications due to poor air quality.

To address the air pollution crisis, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019. This long-term strategy aims to reduce particulate matter concentrations and improve air quality in 131 cities, including Ludhiana. The programme has set targets of achieving a 40% reduction in PM concentrations or meeting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by 2025-2026. While these measures are a step in the right direction, environmental activists emphasise that lasting change will require the collective efforts of residents and long-term goals from the authorities to combat air pollution effectively.

Ludhiana's PM2.5 levels are harmful to residents' health

Ludhiana, India, has been ranked among the top ten most polluted cities in the country. In 2024, it was ranked as the 40th most polluted city in the world, with an annual average PM 2.5 concentration of 55 micrograms per cubic meter. This exposes residents to air pollution levels equivalent to smoking 912.5 cigarettes a year.

PM2.5 refers to tiny particles of dust, smoke, and pollution that can enter the lungs and bloodstream. The national safe limit of PM2.5 is 40 µg/m³, set to protect people from serious health risks such as asthma, lung disease, and heart problems. In February and March 2025, Ludhiana's PM2.5 levels were recorded at 53 and 52 µg/m³, exceeding the safe limit and posing a risk to residents' health. These high levels of air pollution have sparked calls for widespread air monitoring across Punjab, with experts urging authorities to invest in expanding the air quality monitoring network to inform effective public health interventions.

The high levels of PM2.5 in Ludhiana are largely due to industrial activities and vehicle emissions. The city is an industrial hub, with many factories and manufacturing units contributing to air pollution. In addition, the burning of crop residues in nearby agricultural areas releases large amounts of smoke and pollutants into the atmosphere, which can be carried by wind to the city.

The health impacts of exposure to high levels of PM2.5 are well-documented. These particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Residents of Ludhiana may experience increased rates of asthma, lung disease, and heart disease as a result of the poor air quality. In addition, PM2.5 has been linked to other health issues such as cancer and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

While there may be certain areas within Ludhiana that are less polluted than others, the city as a whole struggles with high levels of air pollution. The implementation of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to reduce particulate matter concentrations by 20%-40% in the targeted cities, including Ludhiana. However, until significant improvements are made, the health of residents will continue to be at risk from the harmful levels of PM2.5 in the air.

The city's factories lack stringent international pollution regulations

Ludhiana, located in the Indian state of Punjab, is one of the largest cities in the state and a heavily industrialised hub. Dubbed 'the Manchester of India' by the BBC, Ludhiana has undergone rapid industrialisation, similar to Manchester in the UK during the previous century. This industrialisation has come at a cost: Ludhiana has been ranked among the top ten most polluted cities in India, and its air quality remains a serious cause for concern.

One of the main sources of pollution in Ludhiana is vehicle emissions from the hundreds of thousands of vehicles on the road. These vehicles often run on poorer quality fuels and diesel fuels, which emit high levels of pollution. In addition, heavy-duty vehicles such as lorries and trucks ferry industrial materials and goods in and out of the city, further contributing to air pollution.

However, an even more significant source of pollution may be the countless factories dotted around the city. Many of these factories lack stringent international pollution regulations, which are crucial for keeping certain chemical outputs to a minimum. As a result, large amounts of pollution are released into the atmosphere, affecting the air quality in Ludhiana and the surrounding areas.

The lack of stringent international pollution regulations in Ludhiana's factories has led to several harmful pollutants in the air. These include nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), with nitrogen dioxide being the most prominent in areas with high traffic volumes. Finely ground gravel, soil, and silica dust also make up a large proportion of the particulate matter in the air. Silica dust, in particular, is a known carcinogen, posing long-term health risks to the residents.

The impact of this pollution on the health of Ludhiana's residents is significant. According to the Air Quality Report 2024 by AQI.in, the PM 2.5 value in Ludhiana was 55 micrograms per cubic meter. This means that each resident was exposed to air pollution levels equivalent to smoking 912.5 cigarettes annually, even if they did not smoke. High levels of PM 2.5 and PM10, a coarse particulate matter, have been linked to serious respiratory and cardiovascular health issues. Environmental activists have raised concerns, highlighting the need for long-term goals and resident involvement to tackle this pressing issue.

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