Delhi's Fight Against Pollution: Strategies And Initiatives

Delhi is the world's most polluted megacity, with a combination of factory and vehicle emissions, as well as seasonal agricultural fires, causing hazardous air quality. In response, the city has implemented a range of measures to reduce pollution, including incentivizing electric vehicle purchases, building a mass transit system, and shutting down coal power plants. However, experts say that rapid industrialization and weak enforcement of environmental laws have contributed to the persistent pollution problem, and that more coordinated action is needed to address the issue effectively.

Incentivising electric vehicle purchases

Delhi has implemented a range of incentives to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce pollution in the city. The Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy, which aimed to increase the share of EVs in the city to 25% by 2024, offered a variety of incentives to make EVs more affordable and accessible to residents.

One of the key incentives is the purchase incentive, where buyers receive a direct discount on the cost of the electric vehicle. This incentive varies depending on the type of vehicle and its battery capacity. For example, e-cycles are eligible for a 25% purchase incentive of the MRP, up to INR 5,500 per vehicle. Similarly, e-cargo cycles have a higher incentive of 33% of the e-cycle price, with a cap of INR 15,000 per vehicle. Electric car buyers also benefit from purchase incentives, with the first 1000 cars receiving an incentive of INR 10,000/kWh of battery capacity, up to INR 1,50,000/vehicle.

In addition to purchase incentives, the Delhi government also offers scrapping incentives for those who de-register old petrol and diesel vehicles. This incentive provides a discount when purchasing a new electric vehicle, with an additional bonus if the dealer or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) contributes a matching amount. The government also offers a 5% interest subvention on loans or hire-purchase schemes for certain eligible vehicles, making financing more affordable for buyers.

Other incentives include the waiver of road tax and registration fees, which are typically paid at the time of vehicle purchase. There are also income tax benefits, where individuals can claim a deduction on their tax amount payable to the government. These financial incentives aim to reduce the overall cost of owning an electric vehicle, making them a more attractive option for consumers.

The Delhi government has recognised the importance of incentivising EV purchases to reduce pollution and is committed to continuing these efforts. The Electric Vehicles Policy 2.0 is expected to further incentivise the retrofitting of vehicles, addressing the high cost of converting internal combustion engines to electric ones.

Building a mass transit system

Delhi has been developing its mass transit system to reduce pollution and congestion in the city. The Delhi Metro, a rapid transit system, was introduced in 2002 and has been undergoing rapid modernisation and expansion since 2006. It is an electric-based mass rapid transit system and is the world's first rail project to earn carbon credits for reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

The Delhi Metro has led to significant reductions in localised pollution. A study analysing the period between 2004 and 2006 found that one of the larger rail extensions of the Delhi Metro led to a 34% reduction in localised CO at a major traffic intersection in the city.

The Delhi Metro is being built in phases, with Phases III and IV expected to be completed by 2018 and 2025, respectively. As of January 2022, the network consists of nine colour-coded regular lines and the Airport Express line, with a total length of 348.12 kilometres serving 254 stations. The system includes underground, at-grade, and elevated stations using both broad-gauge and standard-gauge.

In addition to the Delhi Metro, Delhi has also been working on other transport infrastructure projects to improve connectivity and reduce congestion. One such project is the Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), which is expected to be completed by December 2024. This high-speed rail corridor will connect regional centres in the Delhi National Capital Region, providing rapid and reliable links between Delhi, Gurugram, Shahjahanpur, Neemrana, and Alwar. The 164km-long line will have a design speed of 180km/h and will significantly reduce travel time between these cities.

The RRTS project is being developed in multiple phases, with the Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar corridor being the first stage, followed by the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut and Delhi-Panipat corridors. The RRTS will be integrated with other transport systems such as Delhi Metro stations, inter-state bus terminals, airports, and Indian Railways to provide seamless connectivity.

The total estimated investment in the Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar RRTS project is Rs379,870 million ($4 billion), with funding coming from the Indian government, state governments, and bilateral and multilateral agencies. This project is expected to reduce road congestion, pollution, and road accidents, as well as encourage the use of public transport.

Shutting down coal power plants

Delhi, one of the world's most polluted capital cities, has taken significant steps to address the issue of air pollution by temporarily shutting down coal-fired power plants in and around the city. In November 2021, five coal-fired power plants were shut down as part of the federal environment ministry panel's drive to combat air pollution. This decision was made as pollution levels surged to "severe" levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reaching 499 on a scale of 500, posing health risks even to healthy individuals.

The temporary shutdown of these coal-fired power plants is a crucial step in reducing air pollution in Delhi. Coal-fired plants are a significant contributor to the city's chronic winter smog, as the drop in temperatures traps deadly pollutants from these plants, along with vehicle emissions and the open burning of garbage. By shutting down these plants, even if only temporarily, Delhi is taking direct action to mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on its residents.

The federal pollution regulator has also threatened to shut down additional coal-fired power plants around New Delhi for failing to meet emissions standards. In a letter to the head of the Panipat Thermal Power Station, the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Chair cited various violations and gave a 15-day deadline to demonstrate compliance. The proposed action could be the strictest yet on non-compliant utilities, which have previously been granted extensions.

While there are concerns that a mass shutdown of coal-fired power plants could lead to electricity shortages in and around Delhi, the health risks posed by severe air pollution are undeniable. The CPCB has warned of "punitive action," indicating the government's commitment to enforcing emissions standards and improving air quality.

The shutting down of coal-fired power plants in and around Delhi is a direct and necessary step in reducing air pollution in the city. By taking this action, the federal and local governments are prioritizing the health and well-being of Delhi's residents, especially as the city battles chronic winter smog and toxic air every year. These temporary and threatened shutdowns send a strong message about the urgency of addressing air pollution and the need for power plants to comply with emissions standards.

Banning non-essential construction work

In response to worsening air quality in Delhi, the Central Government has implemented a ban on non-essential construction work. This measure is part of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which is the government's strategy to combat air pollution in the region during the winter season. The ban was imposed due to Delhi's air quality index (AQI) reaching "severe" levels, with an overall AQI of 409.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for devising and implementing pollution control strategies, attributed the spike in Delhi's AQI to unfavourable meteorological conditions, including fog and haze, coupled with low wind speed. The CAQM's Graded Response Action Plan categorises actions into four stages based on the AQI: Stage I ('Poor' AQI 201-300), Stage II ('Very Poor' AQI 301-400), Stage III ('Severe' AQI 401-450), and Stage IV ('Severe Plus' AQI >450).

The ban on non-essential construction work aims to mitigate the adverse impact of air pollution and protect public health. However, certain exemptions are granted for projects related to national security or defence, initiatives of national significance, healthcare facilities, transportation infrastructure, and essential government projects.

The Central Government's proactive approach to addressing air pollution in Delhi through the implementation of GRAP Stage III curbs, including the ban on non-essential construction work, demonstrates its commitment to taking decisive action to improve air quality and safeguard the well-being of its citizens.

Restricting non-essential trucks

To combat the worsening air pollution in Delhi, the Central Pollution Control Panel has imposed stringent measures, including restrictions on non-essential trucks entering the city. These measures are part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which categorises actions into four stages based on the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Stage III of GRAP: Severe Air Pollution (AQI 401-450)

During Stage III of GRAP, which is enacted when the AQI reaches the "severe" category, restrictions are placed on the entry of diesel-consuming trucks, particularly those registered outside of Delhi. This measure aims to reduce the emissions from these vehicles, which contribute significantly to Delhi's air pollution.

Stage IV of GRAP: Severe Plus Air Pollution (AQI >450)

As air pollution intensifies, Stage IV of GRAP is implemented, which includes a ban on diesel-run medium and heavy goods vehicles registered in Delhi, with the exception of those transporting essential items. This restriction further reduces the number of polluting vehicles on the roads, helping to lower emissions and improve air quality.

Impact of Truck Restrictions

The restrictions on non-essential trucks have a direct impact on reducing pollution levels in Delhi. By limiting the entry of diesel-consuming vehicles, particularly those from outside the city, the emissions of harmful pollutants are decreased. This is especially important as vehicles, including trucks, contribute significantly to Delhi's air pollution, along with other sources such as industries, construction dust, and crop residue burning.

Enforcement and Exemptions

The enforcement of these restrictions is crucial for their effectiveness. The Central Pollution Control Panel and the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) play key roles in monitoring and enforcing these measures. However, it is important to note that exemptions are made for vehicles carrying essential items or providing essential services.

Additional Measures

Frequently asked questions