Delhi's Air Pollution: Strategies For Improvement

Delhi's air pollution has decreased by 25% in the last 10 years, but it still needs to be reduced by another 65% to meet clean air standards. The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur's 2016 report, 'Comprehensive Study on Air Pollution and Green House Gases (GHGs) in Delhi', outlines 10 measures to improve the city's air quality. These include stopping the use of coal in hotels and restaurants, banning municipal solid waste burning, promoting the use of electric and BSVI vehicles, and implementing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to reduce pollution levels. While Delhi has made progress in transitioning to cleaner fuels, such as natural gas and BSVI, local sources of pollution, including the burning of waste and stubble in nearby areas, continue to contribute significantly to the city's poor air quality.

Stop coal use in hotels and restaurants

Delhi's air pollution is a pressing issue, with the air quality index (AQI) often reaching severe levels. To combat this, a range of measures have been proposed, including addressing emissions from vehicles, power plants, and construction sites. One significant source of pollution is the use of coal in hotels and restaurants, particularly in tandoors.

There are approximately 9,000 hotels and restaurants in Delhi that use coal, and they contribute significantly to PM emissions in the form of fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion that poses health risks, including lung disease. The Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur study found that out of the daily PM 10 and PM 2.5 production in the city, a considerable amount is attributed to these establishments.

To address this issue, it is proposed that restaurants with a seating capacity of more than 10 should discontinue the use of coal and transition to electric or gas-based appliances. This shift is expected to result in a significant reduction in PM 10 and PM 2.5 emissions from the restaurant sector, improving air quality.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that control devices are installed in these facilities to mitigate emissions. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has implemented a ban on open burning to curb air pollution, but this primarily focuses on agricultural waste burning and does not specifically address the use of coal in restaurants.

By implementing these measures and encouraging the adoption of cleaner fuel alternatives, Delhi can take a significant step towards reducing air pollution and improving the health and well-being of its residents and visitors.

Ban municipal solid waste burning

Delhi's air pollution has been a pressing issue for years, with the air quality index (AQI) often reaching "severe plus" levels. One of the critical measures to combat this issue is to ban the burning of municipal solid waste (MSW).

MSW burning is a significant contributor to air pollution in Delhi, with a 2015 study finding that the city burns 190 to 246 tons of MSW daily, severely impacting air quality. MSW includes everyday items such as product packaging, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, and appliances. Instead of burning, authorities need to develop an efficient system for collecting and properly disposing of MSW.

The practice of waste incineration by civic agencies is a concerning trend in Delhi. While it may seem like a convenient solution to the city's waste problem, it comes with environmental consequences. The quality of garbage generated in Indian cities, with its high volumes of wet waste, is not suitable for energy production through incineration. Chitra Mukherjee, co-founder of Chintan, an NGO working towards converting waste into social wealth, highlights that this approach neither aligns with the city's circumstances nor the Solid Waste Management Rules.

The negative environmental impact of waste burning is exacerbated by the lack of awareness among the public. Many are unaware that open burning releases carcinogenic substances into the atmosphere. This issue is particularly acute in metropolitan cities like Delhi, where emissions from open burning have a more significant impact on the health of residents.

To address this issue, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed environmental compensation for open burning of waste. For each instance of simple waste burning, violators are liable to pay INR 5,000, and for bulk waste burning, the fine increases to INR 25,000. These penalties are intended to deter people from engaging in the harmful practice of open waste burning.

Additionally, it is crucial to explore alternative waste management strategies. Decentralized waste management has proven successful in cities like Alappuzha, Kerala, and Mysuru, Karnataka. By emphasizing waste segregation at the source and decentralizing waste processing, these cities have effectively reduced their waste management burdens.

In conclusion, banning the burning of municipal solid waste is a crucial step towards improving Delhi's air quality. By developing better waste management strategies, promoting awareness about the environmental impact of waste burning, and enforcing penalties for violations, Delhi can significantly reduce the harmful emissions caused by open burning and take a step towards a cleaner and healthier environment for its residents.

Cover construction materials

Construction sites are responsible for a significant amount of air pollution, and it is important to take measures to reduce this. Here are some ways to cover construction materials and reduce air pollution in Delhi:

Vertical Covering

One way to reduce air pollution from construction sites is to vertically cover the entire construction area. This prevents dust and other pollutants from escaping into the surrounding area and improves air quality.

Cover Raw Materials

Construction materials, such as sand, cement, and other raw materials, should be kept covered when not in use. This prevents them from being blown away by the wind or spilled, reducing their impact on air quality.

Use of Water Spray and Windbreakers

Water sprays and windbreakers can be used to prevent dust from flying away and ensure that the construction site's impact on air quality is minimised. This is especially important when dealing with raw materials such as sand, which can easily be blown away.

Store Waste Inside Premises

Waste generated during construction activities, such as debris, dust, and leftover materials, should be stored inside the premises rather than left out in the open. This prevents the wind from carrying the waste particles and improves air quality in the surrounding areas.

Cover Materials During Transportation

When construction materials are being transported on roads, they should be covered to prevent them from falling off and becoming a source of air pollution. This is a simple yet effective way to minimise the impact of construction activities on Delhi's air quality.

Use of Concrete Batching Techniques

Concrete batching, the process of mixing materials to form concrete, is a major source of fly ash emissions. To reduce this, construction sites can use water sprays, windbreakers, and telescopic chutes to minimise the escape of fly ash.

By implementing these measures, the impact of construction activities on Delhi's air quality can be significantly reduced, contributing to a healthier environment for the city's residents.

Promote electric, BSVI vehicles

The Indian government has introduced the Bharat Stage (BS) emission standards, which are emission standards that regulate the output of air pollutants from motor vehicles. These standards are based on European regulations and were first introduced in 2000, with progressively stringent norms being rolled out since then.

To address the issue of air pollution in Delhi, the government has implemented several measures, including the introduction of BSVI vehicles. BSVI, or BS-VI, is the sixth iteration of these standards and was adopted in 2020, two years ahead of the initial schedule due to the severity of Delhi's air pollution problem.

The benefits of BSVI vehicles in reducing air pollution are significant. According to the Bharat Stage-6 norms, the emission of carbon monoxide is to be reduced by 30%, and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are to be lowered by 80% compared to previous standards. Additionally, BSVI standards set limits for hydrocarbon and particulate emissions, which were not specified in earlier versions.

The introduction of electric vehicles is also a crucial step in reducing air pollution. Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning they do not emit any pollutants from the exhaust pipe. This is in stark contrast to traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles, which create harmful byproducts such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, benzene, and formaldehyde.

Delhi has already made significant progress in this area, with more than 100,000 commercial vehicles running on CNG fuel, the largest number in the world. Additionally, the Indian government is planning to introduce bio-diesel and ethanol-petrol blends in a phased manner and has drawn up a roadmap for the same.

To further promote the use of electric and BSVI vehicles, the government can offer incentives such as subsidies or tax breaks for those who purchase these vehicles. Additionally, investing in the necessary infrastructure, such as charging stations for electric vehicles, is essential.

By encouraging the adoption of electric and BSVI vehicles, Delhi can significantly reduce its air pollution levels, improving the health and well-being of its residents.

Limit biomass burning

Delhi's air quality is notoriously poor, and biomass burning is a significant contributor to this issue. To limit biomass burning in Delhi and improve air quality, several measures can be implemented:

Encourage the use of alternative farming methods

Instead of burning crop residue, farmers can adopt alternative methods to manage their fields. For example, using machinery like Happy Seeder machines can help cut, lift, and manage crop residue, such as paddy straw, while also planting wheat seeds. This method can be promoted through government incentives or subsidies to encourage farmers to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.

Promote the use of biomass pellets

Biomass pellets are created by subjecting crop biomass to intense heat, compressing it into pellets that can be used as solid fuel. By blending coal with these bio-pellets in thermal power plants, carbon dioxide emissions can be significantly reduced. The Indian government has already mandated that thermal power plants co-fire at least 5% of biomass pellets with coal. However, the current target is "far off", and more efforts are needed to increase the use of biomass pellets.

Implement strict regulations and penalties

The Indian government has threatened strict action against thermal power plants that do not comply with the mandate to use biomass pellets. The Ministry of Power has stated that they will consider reducing coal supply to plants that do not follow the guidelines. Additionally, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been instructed to implement penal provisions for plants that do not take sufficient steps to co-fire sufficient quantities of biomass.

Improve public awareness and education

Educating the public, especially farmers, about the negative impacts of biomass burning on air quality and public health is essential. Providing information about alternative methods and the benefits of adopting more sustainable practices can help encourage behavioral changes.

Collaboration between states and authorities

Delhi's air pollution is not just a local issue, as crop residue burning in neighboring states like Haryana and Punjab also contributes significantly to the problem. Therefore, collaboration between state governments and authorities is crucial to implementing consistent policies and regulations that address biomass burning across the region.

By implementing these measures and working together, Delhi and the surrounding regions can significantly reduce biomass burning, contributing to improved air quality and the health of its residents.

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