Greta Jimenez
Delhi's air pollution has been a persistent issue, with the city regularly ranking among the most polluted areas globally. The situation has reached hazardous levels, causing state officials to implement emergency measures such as closing schools and restricting vehicle movement. While stubble burning by farmers has been a significant contributor, experts emphasize that Delhi's pollution problem is deeper and year-round, with sources including vehicle emissions, construction, waste burning, and power plants. The health impacts are severe, with studies indicating reduced life expectancy and various respiratory and non-respiratory health issues. Despite the crisis, pollution has not become a significant political issue in India, and the effectiveness of short-term solutions like smog towers is questionable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality Index (AQI) | 491 (November 18, 2024) |
| AQI (US Scale) | 1,100 (Hazardous) |
| AQI (Indian Scale) | 460 (Hazardous) |
| Particulate Matter PM2.5 | 493 (24-hour average) |
| Particulate Matter PM10 | 26-208 micrograms per cubic meter of air |
| Particulate Matter PM2.5 (Safe Limit) | 15 μg/m3 (annual mean) |
| Particulate Matter PM10 (Safe Limit) | 15-25 μg/m3 (annual mean) |
| Health Impact | Allergies, respiratory conditions, asthma, reduced lung function, cancer, hypertension, chronic headache, eye irritation, sore throat, skin irritation |
| Children Impacted | 4.4 million with irreversible lung damage |
| Causes | Stubble burning, vehicular emissions, wood-burning fires, cow dung combustion, construction, burning garbage, industrial activities, firecrackers, coal-burning power plants |
| Solutions | Artificial rainfall, water sprinkling, mechanized sweeping, banning construction, restricting trucks, shutting schools, half capacity offices |
| Long-Term Solutions | 1,600 km long green ecological corridor, planting 1.35 billion trees, Aerosol and Air Quality Research Facility |
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What You'll Learn
Stubble burning and agricultural fires
Delhi has consistently been ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the world, with its air quality index (AQI) reaching as high as 1,700 in some parts of the city. While there are many sources of pollution in Delhi, stubble burning and agricultural fires have been identified as significant contributors, with the wind carrying smoke from the fires in Punjab and Haryana over to Delhi.
Stubble burning is the practice of setting fire to crop residues, such as paddy straw, to quickly and cheaply clear the soil for the next crop. Farmers in northern India burn about 23 million tonnes of paddy stubble every year, and the smoke from these fires contributes to the air pollution in Delhi. The share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution has been estimated to range from 1% to 42%, with a more recent average contribution of around 15%. During the peak season between November 4 and 13 last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi's toxic air varied between 25% and 48%.
The practice of stubble burning has been made illegal in 2015, but it continues due to various factors. One reason is the cost of alternative methods, as the machines that can replace stubble burning are expensive and small farmers may not be able to afford them. Additionally, there may not be enough time between crops to use alternative methods, as some farmers claim that they need to plant water-intensive paddy crops during the summer.
To address the issue of stubble burning, governments have tried various approaches, including pitching alternatives, imposing bans and fines, and even imprisoning some farmers. In 2023, the Indian government pushed for the use of 50,000 in-situ machines as an eco-friendly solution, with a total outlay of Rs. seven billion. However, many farmers have resisted the use of these machines due to expenses and efficiency concerns.
Despite the efforts to curb stubble burning, it continues to be a significant contributor to Delhi's air pollution and a public health crisis. Experts emphasize the need to tackle the root causes of air pollution and for policymakers to address the issue with urgency.
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Vehicle emissions and traffic pollution
Delhi has consistently struggled with its air pollution problem, and vehicles play a significant role in increasing pollution levels. The city has one of the highest vehicle densities in the world, and the increase in traffic leads to a higher concentration of vehicular emissions. The exhaust gases from both public and private vehicles contain a mix of toxic elements and chemicals, and long-term exposure to these harmful substances can considerably affect physical health.
The city's vehicles contribute heavily to the poor air quality. More vehicles lead to unprecedented traffic congestion and increased particulate emissions, making citizens suffer. Researchers from EPIC India are working with the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) to design and implement market-based policies to target driving behaviours, incentivise higher use of public transportation, and motivate compliance with the vehicular emissions testing regime in India through improved monitoring and enforcement.
To reduce their carbon footprint, drivers in Delhi are encouraged to switch off the ignition whenever they stop for a moderate amount of time. Most modern cars have auto start-stop functionality, which can be manually turned off but is recommended to be used during times of high pollution. Additionally, utilising public transportation for short trips instead of taking a private vehicle can help reduce the number of vehicles on the road and subsequently reduce localised emissions and ease traffic congestion.
During the annual pollution crisis, authorities bring in emergency methods, such as closing schools, stopping construction, and banning highly polluting vehicles from the roads. Despite these measures, pollution is still not a major political issue in India and rarely features in election campaigns. Experts and environmentalists say that treating pollution as seasonal with a singular cause is hampering efforts to solve it, and the longer India waits to tackle the root causes of air pollution, the greater the economic and health costs.
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Construction industry fumes
Delhi's air pollution has been a persistent issue, with the city being ranked among the most polluted areas globally. The air quality index (AQI) in the city has reached hazardous levels, with a recent reading of 493, which is about 30 times the World Health Organization's (WHO) limit.
The construction industry has not been spared from the effects of the pollution crisis, facing several restrictions and bans on activities. The Delhi government has imposed bans on construction activities, including entry restrictions on trucks carrying construction materials into the city. These measures have impacted the industry financially, with contractors receiving no compensation for the halted work.
The vice chairman of NAREDCO and managing director of the Hiranandani Group, Niranjan Hiranandani, acknowledged the challenges posed by the ban on construction activities, citing difficulties in meeting deadlines, increased financial burdens due to interest costs and construction delays, and labour shortages as workers move to other regions.
Dust from construction sites is recognised as one of the causes of Delhi's poor air quality, along with motor vehicle emissions, wood-burning fires, agricultural fires, diesel generator exhaust, and burning garbage. The large contributions of vehicle emissions and road dust have been exacerbated by court-ordered restrictions on bus services, leading to a rise in private car purchases and road construction.
To address the air pollution crisis, the Delhi government has implemented various measures, including banning construction activities, halting the entry of trucks, and shutting down thermal power plants. In 2020, the authorities established a dedicated air pollution control team to examine complaints received through the "Green Delhi" mobile app and regulate construction dust. Despite these efforts, Delhi continues to face severe air pollution, and it remains to be seen whether more effective solutions will be implemented to tackle this pressing issue.
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Poor political response
Despite Delhi's poor air quality and its drastic health impacts, pollution is still not a significant political issue in India. It rarely features in election campaigns, and there is a lack of collaborative action between political parties to address the problem. This lack of political prioritisation has led to a delay in tackling the root causes of air pollution, resulting in severe health consequences for the city's residents.
One example of the poor political response to Delhi's pollution crisis is the blame game between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Instead of working together to find solutions, the two parties have engaged in a political tussle, accusing each other of failing to address the issue effectively. The BJP has criticised the AAP government for not fulfilling its promises regarding pollution control and the cleaning of the Yamuna River. In response, the AAP has defended its efforts and attributed the deteriorating air quality to factors beyond their control, such as changing weather conditions and stubble burning in neighbouring states.
Another instance of poor political response is the focus on quick fixes rather than long-term solutions. For instance, the Delhi authorities have tried emergency methods such as spraying water into the air, banning highly polluting vehicles, and constructing costly smog towers with little scientific backing. While these short-term measures may provide temporary relief, they do not address the underlying causes of pollution, such as emissions from the transportation sector, coal-burning power plants, waste burning, and construction.
The Indian government's inaction and lack of seriousness in addressing air pollution have been criticised by experts and environmentalists. Avinash Chanchal, deputy programme director at Greenpeace South Asia, emphasised the urgency of tackling the root causes of pollution, stating that the longer India waits, the greater the economic and health costs will be. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst of the climate think tank Envirocatalysts, also pointed out the need for regulations on big polluting industries, including coal-fired power stations and steel plants, which have been freely flouting the laws.
Overall, the poor political response to Delhi's pollution crisis is characterised by a lack of prioritisation, collaborative action, and long-term solutions. The focus on quick fixes and political blame games has hindered progress in addressing the root causes of pollution, resulting in severe health consequences for the city's residents.
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Health impacts
Delhi's air pollution is a complex issue with multiple sources, including vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, waste burning, and construction activities. The health impacts of this pollution are extensive and affect people of all ages.
One of the most vulnerable groups exposed to air pollution in Delhi are pregnant women and their unborn children. Studies have shown that pregnant women who are exposed to air pollution may face an increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental issues in their unborn children. The pollutants can also have negative consequences on the health of the mother.
Children in Delhi are particularly susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution. A study found that the air pollution in Delhi has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children. Other studies have reported a correlation between particulate matter in ambient air and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Vehicular air pollution has also been linked to increased blood levels of lead, which is a potential risk factor for abnormal mental development.
The general population in Delhi also experiences a range of health issues due to air pollution. Respiratory problems, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, are common. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and other pollutants irritate the respiratory system, causing inflammation in the airways. Air pollution has also been associated with an increased prevalence of chronic headaches, eye irritation, skin irritation, and fatigue. Individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may experience worsened symptoms during periods of high air pollution.
The health impacts of air pollution in Delhi are not limited to the respiratory system. Prolonged exposure to pollutants like particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), and ozone can lead to decreased lung and heart function, and even hospitalization. The impact of air pollution on total non-trauma deaths in Delhi was found to be smaller than in the United States of America, but the deaths associated with air pollution in Delhi caused more life-years to be lost because they occurred at a younger age. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution in India is the fifth largest cause of death, killing about 2 million people every year.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. Delhi's air quality index (AQI) has reached 1,700 in some parts of the city, while the maximum index deemed healthy by the World Health Organization is just 50. The city's air quality has been likened to a “gas chamber”, and the pollution is so bad that it's equivalent to smoking 45-50 cigarettes a day.
Delhi's pollution is caused by a combination of factors, including vehicle emissions, fumes from the construction industry, smoke from fires and crop stubble burning in neighbouring states, and exhaust from diesel generators. The pollution is typically at its worst from November to February when colder temperatures and widespread crop stubble burning coincide.
Delhi authorities have tried various methods to combat pollution, including spraying water into the air, closing schools, stopping construction, and banning highly polluting vehicles from the roads. However, these measures have had little effect, and pollution is still not a major political issue in India. Experts say that treating pollution as a seasonal issue with a singular cause is hampering efforts to solve it.
