Kiera Jefferson
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations. New Delhi, the capital of India, is the most polluted capital city globally, with particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations nearly ten times higher than the World Health Organization guidelines. India's air pollution is caused by industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, thermal power plants, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating. While air pollution is a year-round issue, it tends to peak during the winter months of November to February, exacerbated by farmers in neighbouring regions burning crops after the harvest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cities with the worst air pollution | New Delhi, Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala, Jodhpur |
| Worst month for air pollution | November |
| Number of cities in the top 30 with the worst air pollution | 17 |
| Number of cities in the top 30 with the worst air pollution worldwide that are in India | 21 |
| Year when New Delhi was declared the most polluted city in the world | 2014 |
| Year when New Delhi had 11 days at hazardous air quality levels | 2023 |
| Main causes of air pollution | Industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power plants, burning of crop residue, wood and dung for cooking and heating |
| Percentage of air pollution caused by industrial pollution | 51% |
| Percentage of air pollution caused by vehicles | 27% |
| Percentage of air pollution caused by crop burning | 17% |
| Number of deaths caused by air pollution | 2 million |
| Number of deaths caused by indoor air pollution and carbon monoxide poisoning | 300,000 to 400,000 |
| Potential increase in GDP if India had achieved safe air quality levels in 2019 | $95 billion |
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What You'll Learn
Pollution is at its worst from November to February
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations. The country also has the highest death rate from chronic respiratory diseases and asthma, according to the World Health Organization.
Pollution in India is at its worst from November to February. During these months, the air quality index (AQI) often exceeds 200, with some days even reaching over 400. In November 2023, New Delhi had 11 days at hazardous air quality levels and not a single day at 'unhealthy' levels or below. The air pollution in November 2016, known as the Great Smog of Delhi, was one of the worst levels of air quality in the city since 1980. The primary sources of smoke during this time were power plants, stubble burning, lit garbage, road dust, factories, and vehicles.
The pollution in India's capital, New Delhi, also tends to peak after the Diwali celebrations, when people set off fireworks. The air quality in the city is further exacerbated by vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, construction dust, and biomass burning. The poor air quality in New Delhi has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children.
To combat pollution, the Indian government has launched initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme, which aims to reduce particulate matter pollution by 30% by 2024, and the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, a 1,600-kilometre-long ecological corridor with the planting of 1.35 billion new native trees over 10 years.
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The Great Smog of Delhi
India has 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM2.5 concentrations, according to the WHO. Delhi, the capital of India, is one of the most polluted cities globally, with the air quality index (AQI) often exceeding hazardous levels.
In November 2016, Delhi experienced an extreme air pollution event known as the "Great Smog of Delhi". The air pollution levels spiked far beyond acceptable limits, with PM2.5 and PM10 levels reaching 999 micrograms per cubic meter, far above the recommended limits of 15 and 60 micrograms, respectively. This was the worst air pollution in Delhi since 1980, with low visibility causing accidents, including a 24-vehicle pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway. The "Great Smog" disrupted public transport, causing cancellations and delays, particularly for trains and flights.
The primary sources of smoke during the "Great Smog of Delhi" were power plants, stubble burning, lit garbage, road dust, factories, and vehicles. The Badarpur Thermal Power Station, a coal-fired power plant, was a major contributor, producing 80-90% of particulate matter pollution from the electric power sector in Delhi. The power plant was temporarily shut down during the smog but later restarted in February 2017. It was eventually permanently closed in October 2018 due to its detrimental environmental impact.
The "Great Smog of Delhi" highlighted the severity of Delhi's air pollution crisis, which has been exacerbated by factors such as vehicle emissions, wood-burning fires, agricultural fires, construction dust, and industrial activities. Delhi's poor air quality has irreversible health impacts, with 2.2 million children suffering permanent lung damage. The Indian government has implemented initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme and the creation of smog towers to combat pollution and improve air quality.
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The Himalayas prevent the dispersal of pollution
India has a serious air pollution problem, with 21 of the world's 30 most polluted cities in 2019. The main contributors to India's air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, thermal power generation, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating.
The Himalayas, which include delicate and unspoiled ecosystems, have the third-largest glacier ice store globally. However, the region is facing worsening pollution problems, primarily from local biomass burning, long-distance transport from the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), dust storms, and tourist activities. The unique topography and local weather dynamics, such as temperature inversion episodes, intensify pollution in the Himalayas by preventing the vertical dispersal of pollutants over a wider area. This results in the thick winter haze observed over the region.
The Indo-Gangetic Plain, which includes regions of Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, experiences extremely hazardous air pollution levels during October and November due to post-harvest agricultural residue burning. The impact of this pollution extends beyond the IGP, with the central Nepali Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau also affected. The complex hilly terrain of the IGP, combined with atmospheric brown clouds (haze), dust storms, and crop residue burning, contribute to the build-up of pollution that would otherwise have dispersed over a wider area.
Studies have shown that the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region receives significant amounts of air pollution from within and outside the region, including transboundary pollution from other parts of Asia. The HKH region is fragile and rapidly changing, with pollution impacting not just the health of people and ecosystems but also climate, water availability, agriculture, and incomes. The increasing levels of black carbon in the Himalayas jeopardize the monsoon and hydrological cycle, further exacerbating the pollution problem.
To address the air pollution crisis, India launched the National Clean Air Programme in 2019, aiming for a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024. Additionally, initiatives such as the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, a 1,600-kilometer-long ecological corridor, aim to combat pollution by planting native trees. Despite these efforts, air pollution in India continues to contribute to the premature deaths of approximately 2 million people annually and remains a critical issue that requires further interventions and policy implementations.
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India's GDP would be higher with cleaner air
India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with 17 of the world's 30 most polluted cities located within the country. The air pollution in India is estimated to kill about 2 million people every year and is the fifth largest cause of death in the country. The main causes of air pollution in India include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power plants, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating. These sources of pollution contribute to India's poor air quality, which has devastating effects on both the health and economy of the country.
The health impacts of air pollution in India are significant, with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases being common among the population. According to a study, Indians have 30% weaker lung function than Europeans, highlighting the severe consequences of breathing polluted air. The economic costs of air pollution are also substantial, with an estimated loss of $36.8 billion in 2019 due to premature deaths and morbidity. This amount is approximately 1.36% of India's gross domestic product (GDP).
However, there is potential for improvement, and India's GDP could indeed be higher with cleaner air. A report by the World Economic Forum estimates that if India had achieved safe air quality levels in 2019, its GDP would have increased by $95 billion, or 3%. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including lower business costs, higher revenues, and increased productivity. The IT sector, which accounts for 9% of India's GDP, could particularly benefit from cleaner air, experiencing gains of $1.3 billion or 0.7% of its GDP.
Additionally, cleaner air would result in lower rates of absenteeism from work, higher consumer footfall, and fewer premature deaths. India could have gained 1.4 billion working days by reducing air pollution-related sick leaves in 2019, translating into $6 billion in higher revenues for businesses. Furthermore, caregivers, who are often disproportionately affected by air pollution, would have more opportunities to engage in productive activities.
The Indian government has recognized the importance of addressing air pollution and has implemented initiatives such as the National Clean Air Program, which aims to reduce particulate matter pollution by 40% by 2026. These efforts, along with collaboration between the government, businesses, and research organizations, are crucial steps towards achieving India's clean air goals and unlocking the economic potential of a healthier environment.
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The National Clean Air Programme
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations. In 2019, 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world were in India.
To address this issue, the Indian government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019. The programme aims to improve air quality in 122 cities across India, with a tentative national target of reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20%-30% by 2024, considering 2017 as the base year for comparison. This target was later revised to a 40% reduction by 2026.
The NCAP involves reviewing the scientific, legislative, financial, and institutional frameworks of the publicly available clean air action plans submitted under the programme. These plans include interventions that are institutional in nature, such as "overseeing, planning, proposing, preparing, investigating, identifying, ensuring, strengthening, training, studying, and engaging". However, there is a lack of integration of information on relative source contributions and financial requirements for executing the plans.
As of 2024, India had 1,524 air quality monitoring stations, including 558 CAAQMS and 966 manual stations, covering 550 cities across 28 states and 7 UTs. This marked an increase from 2023, but the NCAP target of 1,500 manual stations by 2024 was not met. Data quality is also a concern due to poor maintenance and non-compliance with CPCB siting guidelines.
The NCAP has recommended the preparation of a Regional Action Plan for IGP States/UTs, and discussions have been initiated with eight IGP States/UTs. NCAP 2.0 aims to address transboundary pollution challenges with clear accountability mechanisms and adequate funding.
Other initiatives to combat pollution in India include the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, a 1,600-kilometre-long and 5-kilometre-wide green ecological corridor, and the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Facility, launched in partnership with the McKelvey School of Engineering of Washington University in St. Louis.
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Frequently asked questions
Pollution in India is at its worst from November to February. During these months, the air quality index (AQI) often exceeds 400, which is considered hazardous.
India's most polluted cities include Delhi, Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala, and Jodhpur. Delhi, the capital, has the poorest air quality among capital cities globally.
India's pollution levels are primarily driven by industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust, and crop residue burning. The Himalayas act as a natural barrier, preventing polluted air from dispersing northward and trapping it in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, where half of India's population resides.
