Bronte Wells
Delhi's air pollution is a pressing issue that has garnered significant attention in recent years. The city's air quality is consistently ranked among the poorest in the world, posing severe health risks to its residents and significantly impacting their quality of life. The primary sources of air pollution in Delhi include vehicular emissions, industrial activities, construction, waste burning, and crop residue burning. The post-monsoon season and the festival of Diwali further exacerbate the situation, creating ideal conditions for air pollution to accumulate and spike. With the air quality deteriorating, Delhi has witnessed an increase in hospital admissions due to respiratory issues and other health complications. Addressing this public health crisis requires a collaborative effort from various stakeholders, including the government, environmental agencies, and citizens, to implement effective measures and promote sustainable practices that can help improve the air quality in the city.
What You'll Learn
Vehicular emissions
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) have declared vehicular emissions to be a major factor in Delhi's worsening air pollution. The stagnant winds of winter further exacerbate the problem, trapping dust particles and pollutants in the air and creating smog.
To combat this issue, the Delhi government has implemented measures such as the odd-even rule for vehicles and promoting public transportation. However, low investment in public transport infrastructure has led to congested roads, contributing to air pollution. The Supreme Court of India has suggested that government officers carpool or use public transport, and the government plans to add 1000 extra CNG buses to the fleet.
The issue of vehicular emissions is not limited to private cars. The post-monsoon season creates ideal conditions for air pollution to accumulate in Delhi, and the festival of Diwali sees a significant spike in pollution levels due to firecrackers. The aftermath of Diwali often sees a rise in hospital admissions for respiratory issues, with cases of bronchitis, asthma, and other ailments increasing.
Overall, vehicular emissions are a critical factor in Delhi's air pollution, and addressing this issue through policy interventions and infrastructure development is vital to improving the city's air quality.
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Industrial pollution
Firstly, industrial activities in and around Delhi release a multitude of pollutants into the air. These activities can include manufacturing, production, and other industrial processes that emit harmful gases and particles. For example, the use of unapproved fuels by industries in the National Capital Region (NCR) has been identified as a concern, leading to mandates for the respective state governments to shut down such industries immediately.
Secondly, power plants play a significant role in industrial pollution. According to a study, 52% of NOx emissions in Delhi come from industrial sources, mainly power plants. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, in power generation releases nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other pollutants, contributing to the formation of smog and the degradation of air quality.
Thirdly, waste disposal practices in industrial areas can also impact air quality. Improper waste management, including the burning of garbage and industrial waste, releases toxic chemicals and particles into the atmosphere. This issue is exacerbated by the presence of garbage dumps, which contribute to the build-up of smog and the release of harmful gases.
Moreover, industrial activities can also indirectly impact air quality through the production and use of certain materials. For instance, the use of diesel generator sets (DG sets) in industries and other sectors is a notable concern. The exhaust from these generators contains harmful pollutants, and their use has been restricted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the past to mitigate air pollution in Delhi.
Additionally, construction projects in Delhi NCR have been identified as a source of industrial pollution. Large-scale construction activities can generate significant amounts of dust and particulate matter, which contribute to the overall air pollution levels in the region.
To address industrial pollution in Delhi, the government has implemented various measures. These include banning specific industrial activities, enforcing the use of approved fuels, promoting the use of public transportation, and encouraging carpooling among government officials. The Supreme Court of India has also played a role in mitigating industrial pollution by hearing petitions and directing the government to take necessary actions.
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Stubble burning
In 2021, stubble burning in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh contributed to the poor air quality in Delhi. The contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's air pollution was estimated to be around 30-35% during the critical months of October and November. The impact of these fires is greater during the turbulent hours of the late morning and afternoon when the pollution levels are already high.
The issue of stubble burning is not new, and it has been a stubborn issue to resolve. In 2024, the Supreme Court of India criticised the central government and the state governments of Punjab and Haryana for failing to enforce anti-pollution measures and implement penalties for burning stubble. Despite the criticism and efforts to address the issue, stubble burning continues to fuel Delhi's toxic air crisis.
To tackle stubble burning, the central government launched the Promotion of Agricultural Mechanisation for In-situ Management of Crop Residue scheme in 2022. The scheme subsidised the cost of owning and renting in-situ crop residue management (CRM) equipment in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi NCR. However, the effectiveness of these measures has been questioned, and stubble burning remains a significant contributor to Delhi's air pollution.
The consequences of stubble burning are severe, with Delhi's air quality deteriorating to hazardous levels. The high levels of pollution pose significant health risks to residents, increasing the risk of respiratory diseases and contributing to the development of chronic heart conditions. The poor air quality also affects the overall quality of life and daily activities of those living in Delhi.
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Construction activities
PM pollution, specifically PM2.5 and PM10 particles, refers to fine particles with diameters of 2.5 and 10 microns or smaller, respectively. These particles are released into the air from various sources, including construction activities, and pose a significant health risk due to their ability to penetrate deep into the respiratory system.
To address the issue of construction-related air pollution, the Delhi government has taken steps to stall work on certain construction sites. This decision was made in response to the persistent rise in the city's pollution levels, recognizing that construction activities can have a detrimental effect on air quality.
Additionally, construction activities can indirectly contribute to air pollution through the use of machinery and transportation. The negligence and inconspicuous utilization of machinery and transportation in construction projects can further exacerbate air pollution levels in Delhi.
It is important to note that construction activities are not the sole cause of Delhi's air pollution crisis. Other factors, such as vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, crop burning, and waste burning, also play a significant role in degrading the city's air quality. However, by recognizing the impact of construction activities on air pollution, it becomes imperative to implement measures that minimize dust generation, enforce stricter regulations, and promote eco-friendly construction practices to mitigate their environmental impact.
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Overpopulation
Delhi, the capital territory of India, has been facing severe air pollution for several years. The air pollution in Delhi is the worst of any major city in the world, and it also affects the surrounding districts. Overpopulation in the capital contributes to the various types of pollution, including air pollution and noise pollution.
The city accommodates nearly 16.75 million people, according to the 2011 Census of India. This large population results in congested roads and contributes to air pollution. The large contributions of vehicles and road dust to air pollution have been exacerbated by court-ordered restrictions on bus services in Delhi, which have led to more people buying private cars and the construction of more roads. Vehicular emissions are a major contributor to Delhi's air pollution, with motor vehicles causing 20% of PM2.5 pollution and 9% of PM10 pollution.
The high population also impacts the city's waste disposal and domestic cooking practices, which are significant sources of air pollution. Garbage waste, power plant waste, and transport gases are among the six major categories of pollution in Delhi. The remaining 10% of households that do not use LPG for cooking rely on wood, crop residue, cow dung, and coal, which produce harmful emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
The main causes of air pollution in Delhi are vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, construction-based activities, and crop burning.
Vehicular emissions are a major contributor to Delhi's air pollution, with 36% of NOx emissions and 83% of CO emissions coming from vehicles. The court-ordered restrictions on bus services in Delhi have also led to an increase in private car ownership, further exacerbating the problem.
Industrial pollution, including power plants and factories, contributes significantly to Delhi's air pollution. For example, 52% of NOx emissions and 90% of SO2 emissions come from industrial sources.
Stubble burning, or the burning of crop residues, releases particulate matter, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and other harmful substances into the atmosphere. This practice has been encouraged by the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009, to preserve subsoil water. However, it has negatively impacted Delhi's air quality, with crop burning accounting for up to 45% of the city's pollution during the burning season.
