Delhi's Descent: A Tale Of Pollution And Negligence

Delhi, India's capital, has been dubbed a gas chamber and a medical emergency due to its poor air quality, which has earned it the title of the world's most polluted city. The air pollution in Delhi is an intricate issue influenced by various factors, ranging from vehicular emissions, industrial fumes, and crop burning by farmers in neighbouring states to coal combustion and landfill fires. This toxic mix of ancient farming techniques and modern urban life residues has severe health implications, causing respiratory infections, lung damage in children, and even death. With pollution levels spiking during the winter months, Delhi's over 30 million residents bear the brunt of the health risks associated with breathing in the hazardous air.

Vehicular emissions

Delhi has been ranked as the world's most polluted capital city, with India being the third most polluted country globally. The city's poor air quality is largely attributed to vehicular emissions, among other factors.

The increase in private vehicles is linked to the rise in per capita revenue, indicating economic growth. However, this has resulted in unprecedented traffic congestion and increased particulate emissions, negatively impacting the health and well-being of Delhi's citizens. The city's air pollution has severe health consequences, including neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases, lung capacity loss, and even cancer.

To address this issue, researchers at EPIC India are collaborating with the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) to design market-based policies. These policies aim to influence driving behaviours, encourage the use of public transportation, and improve compliance with the vehicular emissions testing regime. The dynamic approach includes revising messaging and implementing congestion tax based on pilot data to optimise the number of vehicles on the roads and promote the use of public transit. Additionally, initiatives to establish EV infrastructure and improve first and last-mile connectivity are underway.

While these measures are a step in the right direction, some critics argue that they only address the symptoms rather than the root causes of the problem. To truly combat the issue, Delhi needs to transition to sustainable transport by phasing out diesel, gas, and petrol cars and investing in renewable energy-powered public transport options.

Industrial emissions

Delhi, India's capital, has been labelled the most polluted major city globally. The air pollution in Delhi is estimated to kill about 2 million people annually and has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children. The city's air quality index (AQI) has reached as high as 1,700 in some parts, far exceeding the maximum index of 50 deemed healthy by the World Health Organization.

The impact of industrialization on air quality is evident in Delhi, with the city consistently ranking among the most polluted metropolitan areas globally. Experts say that rapid industrialization, coupled with weak enforcement of environmental laws, has played a role in increasing pollution in the country. India has seen a lot of development in the past few decades, but poor industrial regulation means that factories do not follow pollution control measures.

Delhi's air pollution is a pressing issue that has attracted the attention of various stakeholders, including the government, environmentalists, and the public. Local sources, such as industrial emissions, play a significant role in Delhi's poor air quality. Strategies such as the proposed 1,600 km long and 5 km wide green ecological corridor along the Aravalli Range could help mitigate the concentration of pollutants. Implementing measures to reduce industrial activities can lessen the overall pollution levels, making the region less susceptible to the negative impacts of geographical and weather conditions.

Crop burning

Delhi, India's capital, is the world's most polluted capital city. The air pollution in Delhi is a serious problem, causing about 2 million deaths per year in India. The poor air quality in Delhi is attributed to various factors, one of which is crop burning by farmers in nearby states.

Crop residue burning is a common practice among farmers in India, especially in the northern regions. After harvesting paddy, a water-intensive crop, farmers are left with straw stubble in their fields. To quickly clear the soil and prepare it for the next crop, farmers often resort to burning the leftover straw. This practice, known as stubble burning, generates toxic fumes and smoke that contribute to air pollution. The smoke from these fires can travel long distances, affecting not just the immediate vicinity but also cities like Delhi, located about 250 km (155 miles) away.

The impact of crop burning on air quality in Delhi varies depending on wind speed and direction. According to Dr. Gulati, the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's pollution can range from 1% to 42%. However, a recent environment ministry report indicates that the average contribution has increased from 10% in 2019 to 15% in the following year. The practice of stubble burning has faced criticism and efforts to curb it have been made, but these attempts have met with limited success.

Farmers have defended their actions, arguing that stubble burning is just one of several factors contributing to Delhi's air pollution. Other sources include dust, industrial and vehicular emissions, and incineration. They also highlight the challenges of alternative practices. For example, the tight schedule of the harvest-to-sowing transition in the rice-wheat rotation cropping system in northwestern India has hindered the adoption of alternative methods. Additionally, farmers claim that the government has not provided effective solutions or supported the implementation of alternative technologies, such as the Happy Seeder machine, which can remove paddy straw while simultaneously sowing wheat for the next harvest.

The government has offered alternative technologies, but these solutions have their drawbacks. For instance, the Happy Seeder machine is mounted on a tractor and helps with the removal of paddy straw and wheat sowing. However, farmers have expressed dissatisfaction with the machine, stating that it does not effectively remove the stubble and often breaks down. This has created a sense of frustration among farmers who feel they are being blamed for Delhi's pollution without being provided with viable alternatives.

Coal combustion

Delhi, India's capital, has been dubbed the "world's most polluted capital city". The city's poor air quality has been attributed to a range of factors, including coal combustion.

Coal is a fossil fuel, and the burning of fossil fuels is one of the biggest causes of air pollution in Delhi. In India, coal is widely used for electricity generation, with over 86.35% of the total installed capacity of Indian thermal power stations produced from coal. Coal combustion releases a multitude of airborne toxins and pollutants, including mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and heavy metals. These emissions have severe health impacts on residents, including asthma, respiratory disorders, skin disease, genetic mutations, cardiovascular problems, and even premature death.

Delhi has been struggling with severe air pollution for years, and the situation worsens during the winter months. The Badarpur Thermal Power Station, a coal-fired power plant built in 1973, was a major contributor to Delhi's air pollution. Despite producing less than 8% of the city's electricity, it accounted for 80-90% of the particulate matter pollution from the electric power sector in Delhi. The plant was temporarily shut down during the Great Smog of Delhi in November 2016 but was allowed to restart in February 2017. Due to its detrimental environmental impact, the power plant was permanently closed in October 2018.

In addition to coal-fired power plants, the burning of coal for energy generation in households contributes to Delhi's air pollution. According to a 2011 census, while 90% of Delhi's households use LPG for cooking, the remaining 10% rely on wood, crop residue, cow dung, and coal, which can further exacerbate air pollution.

To address the environmental and health impacts of coal combustion, India has implemented several measures. The Ministry of Power has proposed a "graded action plan," grading areas based on the severity of pollution. Additionally, thermal power plants have been instructed to install Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) units to reduce emissions of toxic sulfur dioxide. However, the effectiveness of these measures in mitigating the pollution caused by coal combustion in Delhi remains to be seen.

Poor industrial regulation

Delhi, India's capital, has been dubbed the "world's most polluted city". The city's toxic smog has resulted in severe health issues for its residents, including neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases, lung capacity loss, and cancer. Poor industrial regulation has been identified as one of the contributing factors to Delhi's poor air quality.

Delhi has experienced rapid industrialization over the years, but it has been accompanied by weak enforcement of environmental laws and poor industrial regulation. This has resulted in factories failing to implement pollution-control measures and adhere to safety standards. The Okhla Industrial Area in Delhi, for example, is home to various industries but lacks basic civic amenities and regulation. The area faces issues such as a lack of road infrastructure, with arterial roads being used as parking spaces, and inadequate safety measures, resulting in several industrial accidents and fatalities.

West Delhi, another major industrial area, faces similar challenges with poor infrastructure and cumbersome government policies and procedures. The region experiences issues with electricity, water supply, and drainage systems, impacting both residents and industries. High rents and circle rates also impede the growth of industries in the area. The complex regulatory landscape, with multiple overseeing agencies, further contributes to the challenges faced by industrialists in West Delhi.

The lack of effective industrial regulation in Delhi has led to factories operating without proper pollution-control measures and safety standards in place. This has resulted in increased air pollution and safety hazards for workers and residents. The burning of industrial waste, illegal scrapping, and safety violations have also been reported in areas like Mayapuri, with serious consequences for residents' health and the environment.

To address Delhi's poor air quality and the impact of industrial activities, stronger enforcement of environmental laws and regulations is necessary. This includes ensuring factories implement pollution-control measures, improving infrastructure, and streamlining government policies to support sustainable industrial growth. By addressing these issues, Delhi can work towards reducing air pollution and creating a safer and healthier environment for its residents.

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