Delhi's Air Pollution: From Clear To Unhealthy Overnight

Delhi, the capital territory of India, has been dubbed the most polluted city in the world. The air pollution in Delhi has been attributed to various factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, crop burning, and waste burning. The poor air quality has severe health implications for residents, with approximately 2 million people dying annually in India due to air pollution. Delhi's pollution levels exhibit seasonal variations, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) typically deteriorating during the winter months, exacerbated by factors such as crop burning and firework celebrations during festivals like Diwali. The government has implemented measures to combat air pollution, but the effectiveness of these initiatives has been debated, and the situation continues to pose a significant challenge, threatening the health and well-being of Delhi's residents.

The post-monsoon season creates ideal conditions for air pollution to accumulate

Delhi, the capital territory of India, has been facing severe air pollution for several years. The air pollution in Delhi has been found to be the worst of any major city in the world. The air pollution in India is estimated to kill about 2 million people every year, and Delhi's poor air quality has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children.

The poor air quality in Delhi during the post-monsoon season can be attributed to various factors, including the burning of effigies during Vijayadashami, the bursting of firecrackers during Diwali, emissions from thermal power plants, stubble burning in neighbouring states, road dust, vehicle pollution, and cold weather. The wind blows the smoke from the fires in the fields of Punjab and Haryana over to Delhi, where it often hangs over the city due to meteorological conditions.

The Delhi government has implemented various measures to combat air pollution, including banning the use of firecrackers, promoting the use of public transportation, implementing the odd-even rule for vehicles, and deploying drones to spray water into the air to disperse the smog. However, individuals also need to take personal measures to protect themselves from the harmful effects of air pollution, such as using air purifiers, wearing masks, and limiting outdoor activities when the AQI is high.

Vehicular emissions, industrial pollution and crop burning are major contributors

Delhi, the capital territory of India, has been found to be the most polluted major city in the world. Vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and crop burning are major contributors to this issue.

Vehicular emissions are the biggest internal contributor to Delhi's air pollution. Motor vehicle emissions are one of the leading causes of poor air quality in the city. According to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), vehicular emissions contribute the highest share to Delhi's PM 2.5 levels among local sources of pollution. The analysis found that the contribution of vehicles was around 50-53% during the study period. Nitrogen dioxide levels increase with higher traffic congestion and reduced travel speed. The restriction on bus services in Delhi has exacerbated the problem by encouraging the purchase of private cars.

Industrial pollution is another significant factor in Delhi's air pollution. According to India's Ministry of Earth Sciences, 18% of air pollution is attributed to industrial emissions. Power plants are a major source of industrial pollution, with 52% of NOx emissions and 90% of SO2 emissions coming from these plants. The Badarpur Thermal Power Station, a coal-fired power plant, has been identified as a major contributor to the city's poor air quality.

Crop burning, or stubble burning, is a significant contributor to Delhi's air pollution, especially during the crop-burning season, which typically occurs from October to February. During this period, crop burning can account for up to 40-45% of the city's pollution. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana burn crop residues, such as agricultural stubble, during the harvesting season, and the north-westerly winds carry the smoke and pollutants to Delhi.

Other factors contributing to Delhi's air pollution include household pollution, construction, waste burning, road dust, and biomass burning. The Indian government and various organizations have proposed and implemented several measures to combat this issue, including the use of smog towers, the promotion of alternative crops, and the regulation of construction dust and diesel generators.

Stubble burning by farmers contributes to Delhi's smog

Delhi, the capital territory of India, has been dubbed the most polluted city in the world. The air pollution in Delhi affects the surrounding districts, and the poor air quality has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children.

Stubble burning by farmers has been identified as a major contributor to Delhi's smog. Stubble burning is the intentional incineration of crop residue, such as cut stalks left in the field after the harvest of cereal plants or sugarcane stems. Farmers in northern India burn about 23 million tons of paddy stubble every year, and the smoke travels as far as Delhi, adding to the city's toxic haze. The share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution can range from 1% to 42%, depending on wind speed and direction. For instance, in 2019, crop burning contributed over 45% of Delhi's total pollution during the peak season.

Farmers have cited a lack of knowledge about alternative methods for dealing with crop residue as a reason for their continued reliance on stubble burning. They also face financial constraints in adopting new technologies, such as the Happy Seeder machine, which can be costly and difficult to obtain. In addition, the short time window between crops makes it challenging for farmers to explore other options for managing their crop residue.

To address the issue of stubble burning, the Indian government has implemented various measures. The Promotion of Agricultural Mechanisation for In-situ Management of Crop Residue scheme was launched in 2022 to subsidize the cost of CRM equipment in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi NCR. Additionally, the state government of Punjab introduced financial incentives for farmers who used sustainable CRM solutions and one-time incentives for ex-situ end-users. However, enforcement of anti-stubble burning laws has been lax, and court orders such as bans and fines are often not implemented due to political considerations.

The government has implemented measures to combat air pollution

The government has implemented several measures to combat the severe air pollution in Delhi, which has been recognised as the most polluted city in the world. Delhi's air quality poses severe health risks to its residents, with irreversible damage to the lungs of 2.2 million children.

One notable measure is the formation of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), tasked with enforcing pollution control in the National Capital Region (NCR). The CAQM is supported by a 10-member Pollution Control Team, which manages complaints through the "Green Delhi" app, regulates dust, and bans diesel generators in specific areas. The government has also identified 13 hotspots in Delhi with significantly higher pollution levels, such as Narela, Mundka, and Okhla, and has developed specific action plans to address these local sources of air pollution.

To tackle vehicular emissions, which contribute significantly to Delhi's air pollution, the Delhi Government announced that fuel stations would stop providing fuel to vehicles older than 15 years from April 2025. This decision aims to reduce emissions from older vehicles, which are likely to be less fuel-efficient and produce higher levels of pollutants.

In addition, the government has implemented agricultural initiatives to reduce stubble burning, a major source of winter pollution. The MSP scheme for alternative crops in Punjab provides incentives for farmers to reduce stubble burning and manage crop residues. The Pusa Bio-Decomposer technology has also been introduced to manage crop residues and decrease the need for stubble burning.

Furthermore, the government has taken steps to address industrial emissions and construction dust. The highly polluting Badarpur power plant was shut down in 2018, and the Supreme Court has urged a review of the 2009 water law, which contributes to late paddy sowing and stubble burning. The government has also regulated construction dust, particularly in areas with high pollution levels, and banned certain construction activities during periods of high pollution.

Delhi's air pollution poses significant health risks to citizens

Delhi, the capital territory of India, has been dubbed the most polluted city in the world. The air pollution in Delhi is so severe that it has spread to the surrounding districts. The poor air quality in Delhi has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children.

The air pollution in Delhi poses significant health risks to citizens. The city's air quality index (AQI) often exceeds 300, putting it in the "hazardous" category, and peaks during the winter months. The AQI in Delhi routinely eclipses 700 in some areas during winter, which poses severe health risks.

The sources of Delhi's air pollution include vehicular emissions, dust, industrial emissions, and crop burning in nearby states. Vehicular emissions contribute to about 20% of PM2.5 and 36% of NOx emissions. Industrial sources account for approximately 90% of Delhi's SO2 emissions. Crop burning in neighbouring states significantly impacts Delhi's air quality, with stubble burning contributing over 45% of total pollution during the peak season.

The health risks associated with Delhi's air pollution are extensive. Residents of highly polluted cities like Delhi tend to lose a year or two to three years of life expectancy. Pregnant women exposed to significant air pollution are at increased risk of premature births and low birth weight. Delhi's population is at risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and COPD. Prolonged exposure to polluted air increases the risk of cardiovascular disorders, including heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Long-term exposure has also been linked to an increased danger of lung cancer.

The Delhi government has implemented measures to combat air pollution, such as the odd-even vehicle scheme, industrial activity restrictions, and a promotion for electric vehicles. Additionally, initiatives like the installation of smog towers and the use of the Pusa Bio-Decomposer to reduce stubble burning have been explored.

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