India's Pollution Levels: A Drop In The Ocean?

India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with air pollution posing a major health risk. In 2019, 21 of the world's 30 most polluted cities were in India. The country has launched several initiatives to combat this issue, including the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024-2026. While air pollution levels across north India receive the majority of media attention, rural areas have experienced stronger reductions in PM2.5 levels compared to urban areas. Despite overall decreasing trends in some cities, pollution in Delhi remains a pressing issue, often exceeding safe limits. The Indian government has implemented various measures, such as the Odd-Even Rule for vehicles, to tackle Delhi's poor air quality.

Air pollution in India: a serious environmental issue

Air pollution in India is a pressing environmental issue. In 2019, 21 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world were in India. The country's air pollution has far-reaching consequences, causing more than 2 million premature deaths annually and resulting in economic losses. India's air pollution crisis is driven by various factors, including industrial and vehicular emissions, construction, and the burning of crops and waste.

India's air pollution problem is pervasive, impacting both urban and rural areas. In rural regions, biomass burning for cooking and heating is a significant contributor. Traditional fuels like fuelwood, crop residue, and dung cakes are commonly used in these areas, producing smoke and air pollutants. Urban areas also face high pollution levels, with vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and construction dust playing a major role. Notably, household emissions have a dominant role throughout India, underscoring the ubiquity of the issue.

The Indian government has recognized the severity of the problem and has taken steps to address it. In 2019, India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024. The government has also set aside approximately $1.7 billion to combat air pollution in 42 Indian cities with populations exceeding one million. Additionally, India has established the Commission of Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas, demonstrating a commitment to tackling this issue across jurisdictions.

Despite these efforts, air pollution levels in India remain a concern. Delhi, the capital city, has consistently ranked among the most polluted cities globally, with air quality reaching hazardous levels. The government has implemented temporary measures like school closures and construction halts during critical periods. However, a more sustained and comprehensive approach is necessary to effectively address the issue. This includes improving the availability and accessibility of air pollution data, as well as collaboration between states and across sectors.

Community initiatives and awareness are also vital in combating air pollution. The India Lighthouse initiative, for example, fosters the exchange of global expertise to develop India-specific practices for addressing air pollution. Additionally, the India CEO Forum for Clean Air is gaining momentum, with prominent businesses like Wipro and Mahindra Group joining the Clean Air Alliance. These collective efforts signal a growing recognition of the problem and a commitment to finding solutions.

The health impacts of pollution

Air pollution in India poses a significant threat to public health and the economy. It is a major cause of premature deaths and diseases, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and respiratory infections such as pneumonia. In 2017, an estimated 4.13 to 5.39 million people worldwide died from exposure to PM2.5 pollutants, which are among the most harmful forms of air pollution. India is particularly affected by PM2.5 pollution, with all of its 1.4 billion people exposed to unhealthy levels. This has resulted in substantial economic losses due to lost output and healthcare expenditures.

The sources of air pollution in India are varied and include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power generation, waste burning, and the use of solid fuels for cooking and heating in rural areas. In 2019, 51% of India's air pollution was attributed to industrial sources, while vehicles contributed 27%, crop burning 17%, and other sources accounted for the remaining 5%. The issue of air pollution is not limited to outdoor environments but also pervades indoor spaces, with household emissions playing a significant role in overall air pollution levels.

While air pollution affects the entire country, certain geographical areas are more severely impacted. North India, including New Delhi, the capital city, consistently ranks among the most polluted cities globally. Delhi's pollution problem is exacerbated by its geographical location, as the surrounding mountains trap air pollutants, particularly during colder months. The high population density, dense vehicular traffic, and numerous factories and power stations in and around the city further contribute to the poor air quality.

To address the health impacts of pollution, the Indian government has implemented various measures. These include the National Clean Air Programme and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna, which aims to provide clean cooking fuel to disadvantaged households. Additionally, India has set aside approximately $1.7 billion to combat air pollution in 42 cities with million-plus populations, conditional on achieving annual pollution reduction targets. These initiatives demonstrate India's recognition of the urgency to tackle air pollution and its associated health and economic consequences.

India's most polluted cities

India's air pollution problem is a serious environmental issue with significant health impacts. In 2019, 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world were in India. A study based on 2016 data revealed that at least 140 million people in India breathe air that is ten times or more above the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The main contributors to India's particulate 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 by low-income and rural households for cooking and heating. Industrial pollution accounts for 51% of India's air pollution, with vehicles contributing 27%, crop burning 17%, and other sources making up the remaining 5%.

According to the WHO, India has 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM2.5 concentrations. New Delhi, the capital of India, is often ranked as one of the world's most polluted cities. In November 2024, the city's air quality index dropped into the 'severe' category, and on November 18, it was ranked as the world's most polluted city with hazardous air quality. Other Indian cities that registered very high levels of PM2.5 pollutants include Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala, and Jodhpur.

While air pollution levels across north India tend to receive more media attention, it is important to note that PM2.5 levels exceed the recommended cut-off in rural and urban areas across all regions of the country, except the south. Rural areas have experienced stronger reductions in PM2.5 levels compared to urban areas, partly due to initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which aims to provide clean cooking fuel to disadvantaged households.

To address air pollution, the Indian government has implemented various measures, including the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) launched in 2019, aiming to reduce air pollution by 20-30% by 2024 in over 122 of the worst-affected cities. Additionally, the government has introduced initiatives such as the "'odd/even' rule" in New Delhi, which restricts cars with specific registration plate numbers from entering the city centre on certain days. India also plans to introduce over 1,000 electrically powered buses and encourage the use of electric vehicles, with a target of 25% of privately owned vehicles being electric by 2023.

The government's role in reducing pollution

India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with 21 of the world's 30 most polluted cities. The air quality in India's capital, New Delhi, is the poorest among all capital cities globally. As a result, air pollution has become a serious environmental and public health issue in the country.

The Indian government has recognized the urgency of the situation and has taken several steps to address air pollution. In 2020, the government set aside approximately $1.7 billion to combat air pollution over five years for 42 Indian cities with populations of more than one million. This funding is conditional on these cities reducing their air pollution levels by 15% every year. This initiative by the government is the world's first performance-based fiscal transfer funding program for air quality management in cities.

Additionally, India's Parliament approved a law in August 2021 to establish the Commission of Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas. This commission aims to tackle the hazardous levels of air pollution that have caused a significant public health crisis in South Asia. The government also launched the National Clean Air Program, which aims to reduce particulate matter pollution by 30% by 2024. The Clean Air Fund is also working with the government, businesses, and the public to achieve India's clean air goals.

To address the issue more effectively, India has also been working on revising its ambient air quality standards and strengthening vehicular and industrial emission standards. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, launched in 2016, aims to provide clean cooking fuel to women in disadvantaged households to reduce household air pollution from burning solid fuels. The government has also introduced clean fuel standards, encouraged the use of LPG as domestic fuel instead of coal or fuel wood, and promoted the use of CNG in certain vehicles. These measures have contributed to decreasing trends in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide levels in residential areas of several cities.

Furthermore, India is collaborating with international experts through initiatives like the India Lighthouse initiative to develop India-specific practices and tools to better understand, manage, and control air pollution. The World Bank is also supporting Indian cities and states in implementing state and regional airshed plans for cleaner air, focusing on institutional capacity-building and cross-jurisdictional coordination.

While India still has a long way to go in combating pollution, the government's initiatives and collaborations demonstrate a commitment to improving air quality and protecting the health and well-being of its citizens.

The role of businesses in reducing pollution

India has been facing critical air pollution levels, with 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations. This is a major health risk, causing 4.13 to 5.39 million premature deaths in 2017 globally. India has also been facing economic losses due to pollution, with a total loss of $36.8 billion in 2019, amounting to 1.36% of India's GDP.

To address this issue, the Indian government has taken several initiatives, such as setting aside $1.7 billion to fight air pollution in 42 cities with million-plus populations, approving a law to establish the Commission of Air Quality Management, and implementing clean fuel standards.

Businesses also have a crucial role in reducing pollution in India. Firstly, businesses should recognize the economic consequences of air pollution, such as delays in transportation and increased health costs. Secondly, businesses can introduce energy-efficient technologies and share data on their successful initiatives to encourage other companies to follow suit. For instance, the Delhi Metro has adopted solar power, reducing its dependence on coal and saving millions in energy costs. Thirdly, businesses can calculate the life cycle air pollution footprint of their products to identify areas where they can improve sustainability. Some Indian companies, such as Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co Ltd. and Tata Motors, have already committed to Clean Air for All principles, aiming to take actions that support India's air quality goals. Lastly, businesses can encourage employees to use public transportation or ride-sharing options, reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

While India has a long way to go in combating pollution, the collective efforts of the government and businesses can lead to significant improvements in air quality and the health and well-being of its citizens.

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