Agra's Pollution: Main Causes And Concerns

Agra, a city in India's Uttar Pradesh region, is known for its severe air pollution. The city's pollution levels are dangerously high, posing health risks for both residents and short-term visitors. The main causes of pollution in Agra include vehicle emissions, industrial activities, waste burning, and dust storms. The city's proximity to the Yamuna River, which carries untreated wastewater, also contributes to the poor air quality. Agra's pollution is so significant that it has affected the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, causing discolouration and corrosion.

Vehicular emissions

Agra, a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, is known for the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Taj Mahal, which attracts millions of tourists every year. However, the city has been facing dangerously elevated levels of pollution, with vehicular emissions being one of the main contributors.

Vehicles release various pollutants into the air, including gases and fine particulate matter. These emissions contain high quantities of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, which can undergo photochemical reactions when exposed to high levels of sunlight, converting into ozone (O3). The impact of these vehicular emissions is exacerbated by weather conditions such as extreme heat and dust storms.

To combat vehicular emissions and improve air quality, the Uttar Pradesh Government has taken several initiatives. They plan to introduce 650 electric buses, with more than 100 already procured. Additionally, there is a need to promote public and non-motorized transport, as well as improve road infrastructure, to reduce on-road dust re-suspension. The introduction of Bharat 6 fuel standards nationally is expected to help maintain vehicle exhaust emissions at current levels by 2030.

Agra's pollution problem is not solely caused by vehicular emissions. Other factors, such as industrial emissions, crop residue burning, garbage burning, and construction activities, also contribute significantly to the city's poor air quality. However, addressing vehicular emissions is a crucial step in mitigating the overall pollution levels in Agra and improving the health and well-being of its residents and visitors.

Industrial emissions

In the 1970s, concerns emerged about the impact of pollution on the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts around 8 million tourists annually. Environmentalista M. C. Mehta approached the Supreme Court of India in 1984, drawing attention to the yellowing and blackening of the Taj Mahal's marble, suspected to be caused by acid rain from sulphur dioxide emissions.

Since the 1980s, a series of measures have been implemented to curb Agra's industrial pollution, including the relocation and closure of some polluting industrial units. In 2000, the Supreme Court mandated that a "safe" zone of 50 kilometres around the Taj Mahal, known as the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), be free of polluting industries and diesel vehicles. Despite these efforts, pollution levels in the city have remained high, and the Taj Mahal continues to be affected by industrial emissions.

Agra's industrial emissions contribute to the release of various pollutants, including sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). These pollutants have been linked to adverse health effects, including respiratory disorders, aggravated asthma attacks, irritation to mucous membranes, and more severe conditions such as lung, throat, and skin cancer for those exposed over longer periods.

To address the issue of industrial emissions in Agra, the government has taken several actions. The Uttar Pradesh Government plans to introduce electric buses to reduce vehicular emissions, and private sector players have offered support in combating pollution. Additionally, the National Clean Air Programme has been launched to improve air quality in 102 non-attainment Indian cities, including Agra, by 2025. These initiatives aim to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of industrial emissions in the city.

Crop burning

In Agra, the pollution season typically starts in late autumn, continuing through winter and into the following year, with the worst pollution readings often occurring from November to June. During these months, the city experiences dangerously elevated levels of pollution, with seven months out of the year falling into the 'unhealthy' ratings bracket. The high levels of air pollution in Agra have not only harmed the health of its residents and visitors but also negatively impacted its tourism industry, as it has caused the discolouration of the iconic Taj Mahal.

To combat the air pollution crisis, the government of Uttar Pradesh has implemented the Agra Air Action Plan, which includes measures to control vehicle emissions, such as introducing electric buses, and address crop residue burning, among other sources of pollution. Additionally, private sector players have offered support, with initiatives like the $30 million project by Massive Fund to eliminate 90% of plastic waste in Agra. These efforts demonstrate the recognition of the severity of Agra's air pollution problem and the need for collaborative action to mitigate its impacts.

Waste burning

One of the key issues with waste burning is the release of toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S). H2S is a colourless gas with a distinctive rotten egg smell, and it is produced by the bacterial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. H2S is extremely dangerous, even at low concentrations, as it can cause eye and throat irritation, headaches, and breathing difficulties. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of H2S can lead to respiratory paralysis and death.

The problem of waste burning is further exacerbated by the seasonal weather patterns in Agra. The city experiences a distinct rise in pollution starting in October, with the following months through to June typically recording the worst air quality readings. This period coincides with the cooler months in Agra, when there is an increased reliance on biomass and coal burning for warmth, adding to the air pollution from waste burning.

To combat the issue of waste burning, the government of Uttar Pradesh, where Agra is located, has taken several initiatives. For instance, the Massive Fund has proposed a $30 million project under the Alliance to End Plastic to eliminate more than 90% of plastic waste from the city. Additionally, the waste management firm Geocycle has piloted a technology to clean up the highly polluted Yamuna River, which flows through the city. These measures aim to reduce the amount of waste that is burned, as well as mitigate the environmental and health impacts of waste burning in Agra.

Weather

Agra experiences a distinct rise in pollution starting in October, with the following months, from November through June, typically recording the worst air quality. The year 2019 exemplifies this pattern, as January of that year had a high pollution reading of 113.6 μg/m³, placing it in the unhealthy bracket. This seasonal variation in pollution levels is influenced by a combination of weather conditions and human activities.

During the winter months, biomass and coal burning for warmth contribute to air pollution. The cold weather increases the demand for heating, leading to higher emissions from burning these fuels. Additionally, stubble burning, a common practice in agriculture, further exacerbates air pollution during this period. The dense fog and mist that often accompany the winter weather in Agra can trap pollutants, reducing dispersion and contributing to the concentration of harmful substances in the air.

Extreme heat and dust storms in Agra can also worsen pollution levels. High levels of sunlight can trigger photochemical reactions, converting the various oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, released in large quantities by vehicles, into ozone (O3). This transformation adds to the ozone levels in the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of smog and exacerbating respiratory issues for the population.

The impact of weather on pollution is evident in the discoloration and corrosion of the Taj Mahal. While initial concerns focused on industrial emissions and vehicular pollution, attention has recently turned to the polluted Yamuna River as a significant contributor. The river, which carries untreated wastewater from the city, has been found to generate high levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a corrosive gas responsible for the decay of the Taj Mahal's marble structures.

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