Kiera Jefferson
Delhi's air quality is a persistent issue, with seasonal spikes in pollution causing hazardous conditions. The Indian government has implemented various measures to tackle this issue, including banning firecrackers, shutting down power plants, restricting vehicle usage, and regulating construction dust. Despite these efforts, air pollution in Delhi remains a concern, with the Supreme Court chastising the Delhi government for delayed emergency measures. The annual deterioration of air quality has severe consequences, disrupting transportation, closing schools, and impacting the health of Delhi's residents. With the situation reaching a critical level, the government is under pressure to enforce stricter measures and improve air quality in the capital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality Index (AQI) | 499 |
| Categorization | "Severe plus" on India's System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) scale, “hazardous" under the U.S. AQI measurement system |
| Causes | Vehicular emissions (41%), dust (21.5%), industrial emissions (18%), burning of farm waste or "stubble" in the adjoining states of Haryana and Punjab |
| Measures Taken | Ban on the entry of trucks, halt on construction activities, shutdown of thermal power plants, addition of 1000 CNG buses to the fleet, random checks of car registrations and pollution certificates, ban on diesel cars above 10 years and petrol cars above 15 years, closure of educational institutions |
| Previous Measures | Ban on the sale of firecrackers, shutdown of the Badarpur power plant, regulation of construction dust, ban on diesel generators |
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What You'll Learn
Delhi's air quality index (AQI)
Several factors contribute to Delhi's poor AQI. Firstly, factories and power plants release large amounts of SO2 and NOx, with around 90% of Delhi's SO2 emissions originating from industrial sources. The closure of the Badarpur power plant in 2018 was a step towards reducing emissions from this source. Secondly, ongoing construction and road dust are major particulate matter (PM) sources, accounting for a significant proportion of PM2.5 and PM10 pollution. The Delhi government has periodically halted construction activities to mitigate this issue. Thirdly, crop burning in neighbouring states significantly impacts Delhi's air quality, with over 45% of total pollution attributed to this practice during the winter peak season.
Vehicle emissions also play a significant role in Delhi's poor AQI. India's Ministry of Earth Sciences attributed almost 41% of air pollution to vehicular emissions in a 2018 research paper. To address this, the Delhi government has implemented measures such as banning older diesel and petrol cars and encouraging carpooling or the use of public transport. Additionally, the government has added 1,000 CNG buses to the city's fleet and randomly checks vehicle registrations and pollution certificates.
The severe air pollution in Delhi has led to various preventative measures and government policies to protect residents' health. The Commission for Air Quality Management was established to enforce pollution control, and a 10-member pollution control team was formed to manage complaints and regulate dust through the "Green Delhi" app. During periods of severe air pollution, schools and educational institutions are closed, and residents are advised to limit outdoor activities, wear N95 masks, and use air purifiers.
Despite these efforts, Delhi's AQI has shown only marginal improvement over the years. The annual AQI for 2025 was 139, a 15.1% improvement compared to the previous year, but still significantly higher than the ideal level. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the India Central Pollution Control Board provide real-time air quality data, and residents are encouraged to stay informed and take preventive measures to protect their health.
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Vehicular emissions
Delhi's air quality has been deemed the most harmful of any major city in the world, with an estimated 2 million deaths per year attributable to air pollution across India. The city's vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to this issue, with vehicles contributing about 64% of the pollution in Delhi. The main pollutants emitted by vehicles are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). The emission of these pollutants is influenced by various factors such as vehicle type, driving mode, and operating conditions. For example, CO emissions are higher during idling and decelerating, while NOx and PM emissions are lower during these periods. Additionally, two-wheelers and heavy-duty vehicles are major contributors to PM2.5 pollution, accounting for 50% of the total emissions from this pollutant.
The number of vehicles in Delhi has increased rapidly due to urbanization and population growth, with over 6 million vehicles registered in the city. The increase in vehicles has not been met with a corresponding increase in road length, leading to traffic congestion and further exacerbating the emission problem. The high vehicular density and moderate speeds in the city contribute to high particulate emissions, with traffic congestion increasing transport emissions. Furthermore, heavy commercial vehicles loaded beyond their capacity cause severe particulate pollution by resuspending road dust.
To address vehicular emissions, the Delhi Government has implemented several measures. In 2021, they banned the entry of commercial petrol and diesel vehicles into the city. Additionally, they decided that fuel stations would stop providing fuel to vehicles older than 15 years starting in April 2025. The Supreme Court of India also suggested that government officers should commute through carpooling or public transportation. The Delhi Government plans to add 1,000 extra CNG buses to their fleet, and the Civil Defense Unit will check the registrations and pollution certificates of cars randomly.
While these measures are a step in the right direction, experts note that a narrow focus on vehicular emissions will not be enough to fix Delhi's air pollution crisis. A paradigm shift is needed, with a focus on reducing emissions from all sectors, including industry, power plants, and construction. Enhanced accountability at the city, state, and national levels is crucial to ensuring measurable and sector-specific reductions in emissions. Additionally, a multi-sector and multi-scale approach is necessary to prioritize the reduction of local transport emissions, followed by regional industries, domestic sources, and transport emissions from the broader National Capital Region (NCR).
In conclusion, while vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to Delhi's air pollution, a comprehensive and collaborative approach targeting multiple sectors and regions is required to effectively address the city's air quality issues and improve the health and well-being of its residents.
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Construction dust
Dust from construction sites and the production of raw materials such as bricks and concrete contribute to the city's harmful air quality. The lack of dust control measures, such as covering construction sites, allows wind to whip dust into the surrounding areas. Additionally, dust from roads and vehicles contributes significantly to the problem. Delhi's vast and growing road network, with more than 9 million cars, kicks up a substantial amount of dust, which mixes with vehicular and industrial emissions, creating even more toxic air.
To address this issue, the Delhi government has implemented various measures. In 2020, the authorities established a 10-member air pollution control team to examine complaints received through the "Green Delhi" mobile app. They also began regulating construction dust and banning diesel generators. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has been actively working to mitigate dust from construction and demolition sites, issuing directions under relevant acts and regulations.
Additionally, the government has proposed studying water consumption, pollution potential, and treatment plant capacity in small-scale industries to identify dust-laden roads and implement dust mitigation measures. The Environment Department has also launched an app to monitor the burning of leaves, which contributes to air pollution. Other measures to reduce dust include vacuum cleaning and water sprinkling on roads.
While these efforts are being made to control construction dust and improve air quality in Delhi, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen. The implementation and enforcement of regulations are crucial in ensuring the success of these initiatives.
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Farm waste burning
Delhi's poor air quality is a complex issue with a range of contributing factors, and farm waste burning is certainly one of them. The practice of crop residue burning by farmers in neighbouring states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh significantly impacts Delhi's air quality, particularly during October and November. This practice has led to the emission of various pollutants, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide, nitrous oxide, and particulate matter. While the Indian government has implemented bans and interventions to address this issue, farm waste burning remains prevalent due to various agricultural and economic factors.
One study, published in 'Nature Communications', estimated that agricultural residue burning caused 44,000–98,000 premature deaths annually in India from 2003 to 2019, with Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh contributing to 67–90% of these cases. The health impacts of crop residue burning are significant, with the release of toxic pollutants posing long-term risks to residents in affected areas.
To address the issue of farm waste burning, experts have suggested several alternatives and interventions. One proposed solution is the adoption of mechanized approaches and alternative crops, which could reduce the need for residue burning. Additionally, targeted changes in the timing and location of residue burning may yield significant improvements in air quality and public health. For example, burning one hour earlier in the day has been suggested as a small intervention that may provide broad public health benefits by reducing the number of premature deaths attributed to air pollution.
While farm waste burning is a contributing factor to Delhi's poor air quality, it is important to recognise that it is not the sole cause. Vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, construction dust, and the burning of garbage and firecrackers also play a significant role in Delhi's air pollution crisis. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that addresses multiple sources of pollution is necessary to effectively improve Delhi's air quality in the long term.
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Government initiatives to reduce pollution
The Delhi government has implemented various initiatives to reduce the city's pollution levels. In 2021, the government announced the closure of all educational institutions and halted all construction activities for a week in response to the severe air quality index. Additionally, the entry of trucks into Delhi was banned, and several thermal power plants were shut down temporarily. The government also plans to add 1000 CNG buses to the city's fleet and enforce the ban on diesel cars over ten years old and petrol cars over 15 years old.
To address the issue of air pollution in the long term, an initiative is being considered to create a 1,600 km long and 5 km wide green ecological corridor along the Aravalli Range from Gujarat to Delhi, connecting to the Sivalik Hills range. This project would involve planting 1.35 billion new native trees over ten years to combat pollution.
In 2019, the Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, appealed to the people of Delhi to send in their suggestions and recommendations for reducing pollution during the winter months. This led to the development of the Winter Action Plan, which includes initiatives such as controlling stubble burning, implementing the odd-even scheme, distributing air pollution masks, and deploying environment marshals to check open burning.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) plays a crucial role in combating pollution in the city. They have taken action against non-compliant units, banned the manufacturing and sale of firecrackers, and invited suggestions from the public to combat air pollution.
The World Bank has also been aiding India in Air Quality Management through a phased strategy, focusing on enhancing knowledge, building capacity, involving stakeholders, and transferring expertise in airshed management tools. The greatest effort is being placed on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, where population density and pollution intensity are the highest.
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Frequently asked questions
Delhi's air pollution is an ongoing issue, with annual spikes during winter. In 2024, the Supreme Court of India criticised the Delhi government for its delayed response to the hazardous levels of air pollution. The government has since implemented stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan, which includes measures such as banning trucks from entering the city and halting construction activities. The efficacy of these measures remains to be seen.
Delhi's air pollution is influenced by various factors, including vehicular emissions, dust, industrial emissions, and the burning of farm waste or "stubble" in neighbouring states. In 2018, India's Ministry of Earth Sciences published a research paper attributing almost 41% of air pollution to vehicular emissions, 21.5% to dust, and 18% to industrial emissions.
The Delhi government has implemented several measures to address air pollution. These include banning diesel cars over 10 years old and petrol cars over 15 years old, adding 1000 CNG buses to the public fleet, randomly checking pollution certificates of cars, shutting down thermal power plants, and banning construction activities during periods of high pollution.
Air pollution in Delhi has severe consequences for the health and well-being of its residents. During periods of high pollution, educational institutions are often closed, transportation and road work are disrupted, and people are advised to limit their outdoor activities. The pollution also takes a toll on the city's economy, as embassies and international businesses consider reducing staff tenures due to the poor air quality.
