Indian Industrial Pollution: Worst Offenders Revealed

India is facing a severe air pollution crisis, with 6 of the world's 10 most polluted cities located in the country. Industrial pollution is the main contributor to India's poor air quality, accounting for 51% of the country's air pollution. While data on industrial pollution in India is often inaccessible or challenging to track, it is evident that certain factories and industries significantly impact the country's air and environmental quality. This paragraph will explore the factories and industries that contribute most to pollution in India and the efforts to address this pressing issue.

Fossil fuels

In India, fossil fuel combustion in transport, power generation, and other uses is a major cause of outdoor urban air pollution. This includes emissions of sulphur and nitrogen oxide, suspended particulate matter, soot, and fly ash. Fossil fuel subsidies drive indoor air pollution, as many households rely on subsidized kerosene for lighting, which is not clean-burning.

The transportation sector in India is a significant contributor to air pollution due to emissions from burning fossil fuels in vehicles. India's roads are filled with cars, bikes, buses, and trucks, and the country's energy demand continues to climb due to its dynamic economic growth and modernization. As a result of increasing energy demand, India has become more dependent on imported fossil fuels, with net oil import dependency rising from 43% in 1990 to an estimated 71% in 2012.

The health impacts of fossil fuel pollution are significant. Long-term exposure to pollutants can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, decreased lung function, and an increased frequency of asthma attacks. A Harvard University study found that more than 30% of annual deaths in India could be attributed to air pollution from fossil fuels, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The International Monetary Fund estimated the cost of air pollution from energy in India at $135.65 billion USD in 2015.

To address these issues, India committed in 2009 to phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption while providing targeted support for the poorest. Pricing reforms for gasoline and diesel have helped cut the country's energy subsidies bill, and the growth of electricity access and solar alternatives in unelectrified areas offers a cleaner energy solution.

Transportation

India's rapidly growing economy and industrialisation have led to a concomitant rise in air pollution levels and a deterioration of air quality. Transportation is a significant contributor to India's air pollution crisis. Road transport accounts for 20-30% of urban air pollution and 12% of India's energy-related CO2 emissions. The country's vehicle fleet is expanding rapidly, with sales reaching 21 million in 2016, and the number of vehicles on the road is expected to double to 200 million by 2030. This expansion in road transport is a key catalyst for socio-economic development but has unleashed a host of environmental problems, including burgeoning emissions of CO2 and air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

The impact of transport-related emissions on public health is significant. India's population is exposed to dangerous levels of PM2.5, with a 24-hour average of up to 25 micrograms/cubic metre of air, far exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) limit of 10 micrograms/cubic metre. Long-term exposure to these pollutants has severe health consequences, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lung and other cancers, strokes, pre-term birth, type-2 diabetes, and other illnesses.

To address these issues, India has implemented several climate-driven policies and regulations to reduce transport emissions. In April 2020, India adopted the Bharat Stage (BS) emission standards, specifically BS-VI standards, which are equivalent to Euro-6/VI norms. This was a significant leap forward, as India skipped directly from BS-IV to BS-VI in just three years. These standards regulate vehicle tailpipe emissions, and alongside the gradual shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), they are expected to lead to a notable decline in NOX emissions from road transport by 2030 and beyond.

However, it is important to address non-exhaust PM2.5 emissions, which are also caused by road transport activities such as brake and tyre wear abrasion and road dust. To further mitigate vehicular air pollution, India can support the transition to electric vehicles for both passenger and freight transport. This includes deploying electric buses, incentivising the adoption of electric and fuel cell trucks, and strengthening scrappage policies to accelerate the phase-out of highly polluting vehicles. Additionally, cities can establish low-emission zones to reduce the circulation of the most polluting vehicles in densely populated areas.

Construction

India has been facing a serious issue of air pollution, with 6 out of the world's 10 most polluted cities in 2025 present in the country. The country emits about 3 gigatonnes of greenhouse gases each year, which is about 7% of global emissions, despite having 17% of the world's population.

A range of factors contribute to India's poor air quality, including industrial discharge, vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power plants, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating by low-income and rural households.

The construction industry significantly impacts India's air pollution levels. Construction sites release dust (PM10, PM2.5), NOx, and CO into the atmosphere, contributing to about 23% of global air pollution and posing various health risks.

The Indian government has recognized the impact of construction on air pollution and has taken measures to address it. For example, in November 2024, when pollution levels in New Delhi reached hazardous levels, the government ordered schools to close and construction to cease to tackle the issue.

To guide the construction sector towards achieving net-zero emissions, it is crucial to explore sustainable practices. This includes adopting more sustainable materials and methods, improving energy efficiency, and offsetting residual emissions. By implementing these measures, India can reduce the environmental and health impacts of construction-related air pollution and work towards improving the country's overall air quality.

Thermal power plants

India has witnessed rapid industrialization in recent years, resulting in rising air pollution levels and a decline in air quality. One of the major contributors to this issue is thermal power plants, which produce a significant amount of harmful emissions.

In addition to the direct health impacts, thermal power plants also contribute to environmental degradation. Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, is often not appropriately managed, leading to land and water pollution. Approximately 217 million tons of ash are released into the air, with only a portion utilized for industrial purposes, while the rest is dumped in landfill sites. The power sector's utilization of fly ash for cement manufacturing, road embankments, and building materials does little to alleviate the environmental concerns as the ash's chemical composition can vary, containing harmful substances.

The Indian government has recognized the need to implement stronger pollution control regulations and measurements to govern coal-related pollution. Studies have suggested that cleaner oils, stricter emission standards, and the introduction of advanced technologies can help mitigate the environmental and health impacts of thermal power plants. Additionally, aggressive pollution control regulations, such as mandating flue gas desulfurization and tightening emission standards, are imperative to reduce health impacts and improve air quality. However, the lack of transparency and accessibility of pollution data from thermal power stations remains a concern, with only a handful of private companies disclosing environmental information.

As India continues to rely on coal as a primary fuel source for its electricity generation, it is crucial to address the adverse effects of thermal power plants on the environment and human health. Implementing sustainable practices, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and prioritizing the disclosure of pollution data are essential steps toward mitigating the impacts of thermal power plants in India.

Fashion

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, and fast fashion is a major contributor to environmental pollution. The production and consumption of clothing have increased significantly in recent years, with people buying 60% more garments in 2014 than in 2000. This has resulted in a massive amount of textile waste, with 85% of all textiles ending up in dumps each year.

Fast fashion companies like Shein, Forever 21, and H&M are some of the biggest contributors to textile and environmental pollution. These companies offer new styles at very low prices, mass-producing clothing to meet the constantly changing consumer demands. The rapid production and consumption of clothing have severe environmental consequences, including water pollution, carbon emissions, and the use of hazardous chemicals.

Textile dyeing is the world's second-largest polluter of water, and wastewater from the dyeing process is often dumped into rivers and streams without proper treatment. This releases toxic chemicals such as nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylated, azo dyes, chlorobenzenes, and heavy metals, which contaminate water sources used for drinking, farming, and bathing. In India, the leather industry is also a significant contributor to water pollution, as toxic wastewater from tanneries is flushed into local rivers, endangering the health of nearby residents and workers.

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. The production of synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and acrylic contributes to the depletion of non-renewable sources and the emission of greenhouse gases. The use of harmful chemicals in the manufacturing process, such as PFCs, phthalates, and APs/APEOs, further exacerbates the environmental impact.

To address these issues, some companies are adopting more sustainable practices, such as using sustainable materials, eliminating hazardous chemicals, and implementing clothing collection and recycling programs. Initiatives like the EU's circular economy action plan aim to make textiles more durable, repairable, and recyclable, while the UN's Alliance for Sustainable Fashion coordinates efforts to make the industry less harmful.

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