India's Air Pollution Crisis: Worst In The World?

India's poor air quality is a severe issue that has been described as insanely bad. According to the WHO, India has 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations. New Delhi, the country's capital, is consistently ranked as the world's most polluted city. The air pollution in India is so bad that it is believed to be shaving more than a decade off the life expectancy of those who live there.

India's most polluted cities

India's air quality is greatly affected by its business practices and environmental standards. The country has a large manufacturing sector and a huge population, all within a relatively small area. As a result, India has 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations.

In 2019, it was found that 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world were in India, pushing the country's ranking to 5th place. The main contributors to India's poor air quality are industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, and the burning of waste and crops. Over 50% of the pollution comes from industry, followed by 27% from vehicles, 17% from crop burning, and 7% from domestic cooking.

Some of India's most polluted cities include Delhi, Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala, and Jodhpur. Delhi, in particular, has been labelled as the most polluted city in the world on multiple occasions. In 2014, the World Health Organization designated New Delhi as the most polluted city globally. More recently, in 2024, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) reached 1,700 in some parts of the city, far surpassing the threshold of 300, which already represents a hazard to health.

The Indian government has implemented various initiatives to address the country's air pollution problem. In 2019, they launched the National Clean Air Program, aiming to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024. Additionally, the government introduced the "odd/even" rule in New Delhi in 2017 to reduce the number of cars in the city centre on certain days. They also plan to introduce over 1,000 electrically powered buses and upgrade engines using fossil fuels to meet stringent BS6 standards.

Health impacts of air pollution

India's air pollution levels are among the highest in the world, and the impact of this on the health of its people is devastating. The country's entire population of 1.4 billion people is exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM 2.5, which is the most harmful pollutant. This fine particulate matter is emitted by factories, cars, construction, and other sources. The impact of this pollution is felt disproportionately by poorer people, including those working in construction and factories, and those who are immunologically compromised.

The health consequences of air pollution in India are wide-ranging and severe. According to the non-profit Health Effects Institute, over a million Indians die prematurely each year due to air pollution. A recent study also calculated that the 30 million people living in and around the capital, New Delhi, could lose almost 12 years of their lives due to the health impacts of the city's poor air quality. The Indian capital has consistently ranked among the world's most polluted cities, with its Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching as high as 1,700 in some parts, far surpassing the threshold of 300 that indicates a hazard to health.

The main health risks associated with air pollution exposure include respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Long-term exposure to particulate matter can lead to the development of asthma, bronchitis, COPD, lung cancer, and an increased risk of heart attack. In Delhi, specifically, over two million children—half of the children in the city—have abnormalities in their lung function, according to the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute. Asthma is the most common health problem faced by Indians, and it accounts for more than half of the health issues caused by air pollution.

Air pollution is also believed to be a key factor in accelerating the onset of Alzheimer's disease in India. The economic consequences of air pollution in India are also significant, with lost output from premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution resulting in substantial economic losses. In addition, the cost of healthcare and lost productivity further contribute to the financial burden of air pollution in the country.

The Indian government has implemented various initiatives to address the country's air pollution problem, such as the National Clean Air Programme, which aims to reduce PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations by 20%-30% by 2024. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, and air pollution continues to pose a severe threat to the health and well-being of India's population.

Causes of air pollution

India's poor air quality is largely attributed to a combination of geographical factors, business practices, and environmental standards. The Himalayas, for instance, block air pollution from reaching China and Tibet, resulting in India bearing the brunt of it. Additionally, India's dense population, industrial activities, and vehicular emissions significantly contribute to the issue.

Industrial and Vehicular Emissions

India's rapidly growing economy and industrialization have led to a significant increase in industrial emissions. These emissions, along with those from vehicles, contribute to about 51% and 27% of India's air pollution, respectively. The country's reliance on thermal power for electricity and the use of thermal stations in cities like Delhi further exacerbate the problem.

Construction

Construction activities, including dust and debris, are major contributors to air pollution in India. The expansion of cities like Delhi, with their booming construction industries, has resulted in a constant release of dust and other pollutants into the air.

Crop Burning

In autumn and spring, large-scale crop residue burning in agricultural fields is a common practice, particularly after the winter harvest. This is done as a cheaper alternative to mechanical tilling, but it adds to the smoke, smog, and particulate pollution in the air.

Waste Burning

India's waste management practices also contribute to air pollution. In rural areas, biomass burning for cooking and heating is prevalent, while in urban areas, open burning of garbage is a common method of waste disposal due to inadequate waste management systems.

Population Density

India's large and densely populated cities, such as Delhi, contribute significantly to air pollution. The high population density, coupled with a growing number of vehicles on the roads, leads to increased emissions and poor air quality.

Geographical Factors

The Himalayas play a role in blocking air pollution from reaching China and Tibet, resulting in India being more affected by it. Additionally, temperature rises on the Tibetan Plateau are causing Himalayan glaciers to retreat, impacting the flow rate of major rivers like the Ganges and Brahmaputra. This, in turn, can influence climate patterns and air quality in the region.

Despite the implementation of initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme, India continues to struggle with enforcing effective measures to combat air pollution. The country's focus on economic growth and poverty alleviation has often taken precedence over environmental concerns, leading to a lack of stringent policies and controls on pollution.

Government initiatives to tackle air pollution

India has 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations. The main contributors to India's air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, dependence on thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating in low-income and rural households. Over a million Indians die prematurely each year due to air pollution, and it contributes to the premature deaths of 2 million Indians annually.

The Indian government has launched several initiatives to tackle air pollution, including:

• The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was passed in 1981 to regulate air pollution. However, it has failed to reduce pollution due to poor enforcement.
• In 2015, the government, together with IIT Kanpur, launched the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) to provide real-time air quality data to the public and raise awareness about air pollution.
• In 2019, India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), with a tentative national target of a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024, compared to 2017 levels. The programme will be implemented in 102 cities with air quality worse than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
• The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana programme was launched in 2016 to provide access to clean cooking fuel (LPG) to reduce indoor air pollution from traditional cooking methods.
• The FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) initiative was introduced in 2018 to promote the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles and reduce vehicular emissions.
• The Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) was notified in 2018, identifying timelines and implementing agencies for actions to prevent, control, and mitigate air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
• The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was launched in 2017 for the prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution in the capital.
• The Great Green Wall of Aravalli, a 1,600-kilometre-long and 5-kilometre-wide green ecological corridor along the Aravalli range from Gujarat to Delhi, will be planted with 1.35 billion new native trees over 10 years to combat pollution.
• The World Bank is aiding India in Air Quality Management through a phased strategy, enhancing knowledge, building capacity, involving stakeholders, and transferring expertise in airshed management tools.
• The India Lighthouse initiative brings together experts from India and around the world to develop India-specific practices and tools to better understand, manage, and control air pollution.

Comparison with other countries

India's air pollution is considered to be some of the worst in the world. According to the WHO, India has 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations. These cities include Delhi, Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala, and Jodhpur. In 2014, the World Health Organization declared New Delhi the most polluted city globally.

While India's air pollution is a severe issue, it is not a universal problem across the country. Some regions, such as the Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Utter Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka, have relatively cleaner air. However, even in these areas, the air pollution levels may still exceed the WHO guidelines.

Compared to other countries, India's air pollution is worse than that of China, which has successfully implemented clean air policies, resulting in significant improvements in its air quality. Beijing, for example, has fallen off the list of the world's most polluted cities and currently ranks 27th according to IQAir. In contrast, New Delhi consistently ranks among the most polluted cities, topping the list on multiple occasions.

India's air pollution is also worse than that of the United States, as the particulate pollution in Beijing, China's most polluted county, is still 40% higher than in the most polluted county in the US. However, it is important to note that India has a lower per capita emission of greenhouse gases than these countries.

When compared to other countries, India's air pollution is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including its business practices, environmental standards, large population, and geographical location. While the Indian government has implemented initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme, more stringent measures and enforcement are needed to address the country's severe air pollution effectively.

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