Meghan Hodges
India has been facing severe air pollution issues, with cities like Delhi, Singrauli, and several in Haryana facing severe pollution challenges. The main pollutants, PM2.5 and PM10, are caused by vehicle emissions, stubble burning, industrial activities, tyre pyrolysis plants, construction dust and debris, and seasonal crop-burning practices, particularly in the northern states. In this paragraph, we will explore the factors contributing to India's poor air quality and examine the most polluted state in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most polluted city in India | New Delhi |
| New Delhi's air quality in 2024 | Severe category with a reading of 1,081 |
| New Delhi's PM2.5 levels | Over 15 times higher than the WHO-recommended limit |
| India's national average annual per capita consumption of fuel wood, agricultural waste, and biomass cakes | 206 kg coal equivalent |
| India's contribution to global emissions | 7% |
| India's population as a percentage of the world population | 17% |
| India's emission of CO2eq of greenhouse gases annually | 3 gigatonnes |
| India's emission of CO2eq of greenhouse gases per person | 2.5 tons |
| Main contributors to particulate air pollution in India | Construction dust and debris, tyre pyrolysis plants, traditional fuel use in rural areas |
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What You'll Learn
- New Delhi is the most polluted city in India
- Vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and crop-burning practices are major contributors to pollution
- Construction dust and debris are major sources of particulate pollution
- Tyre pyrolysis plants contribute to severe air pollution and health issues
- Traffic congestion and poor traffic law enforcement lead to increased pollution
New Delhi is the most polluted city in India
New Delhi, the capital of India, has been labelled the most polluted city in the world by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014. In 2024, Swiss group IQAir also ranked New Delhi as the world's most polluted city with an air quality reading of 1,081, which is considered hazardous.
New Delhi's air quality index (AQI) dropped into the severe category in November 2024, according to SAFAR, India's main environmental agency. The government was forced to act, ordering schools to close and construction to cease. The city's AQI reading dropped to 489 the next day, but it still retained its position as the most polluted city in the world.
The 6th Annual World Air Quality Report by IQAir also found New Delhi to be the most polluted capital city in the world, with India ranking as the third most polluted country globally in 2023. The report also identified India's Begusarai as the most polluted metropolitan area of 2023 globally. The annual average concentration of PM2.5 increased to 54.4 μg/m3 in 2023, a slight rise from the previous year. This spike in pollution levels poses significant health risks to an estimated 1.36 billion people living in the country.
Vehicle emissions play a significant role in exacerbating air pollution in New Delhi, accounting for 40% of PM2.5 emissions. Traffic congestion is severe in Indian cities, with the average trip speed on many Indian city roads less than 20 kilometres per hour. At such low speeds, vehicles emit air pollutants 4 to 8 times more than they would with less traffic congestion. A study found that at average trip speeds between 20 and 40 kilometres per hour, the cars' pollutant emission was twice as much as when the average speed was 55 to 75 kilometres per hour.
To tackle the issue of air pollution in New Delhi, the government launched an Odd-Even Rule in November 2017, based on the Odd-Even rationing method. This meant that cars with number plates ending in odd digits could only be driven on certain days of the week, while cars with even digits were allowed on the remaining days. Local governments of various states also implemented measures such as tighter vehicle emissions norms, higher penalties for burning rubbish, and better control of road dust.
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Vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and crop-burning practices are major contributors to pollution
India is the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the world, contributing to 7.08% of global emissions. It has the third worst air quality in the world, and 35 of the 50 most polluted cities globally are in India. Transportation is a major contributor to this, with road transport accounting for 12% of India's energy-related CO2 emissions and 20-30% of urban air pollution. Vehicular emissions can be categorised as either direct 'tailpipe' emissions from fuel combustion in conventional vehicles or indirect by-products of gaseous reactions in the atmosphere. Motor vehicles contribute to nearly 24% of the world's direct CO2 emissions, and in highly polluted cities like New Delhi, they are the primary source of carbon monoxide (CO). This toxic gas arises from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and affects the body's ability to absorb oxygen. India's road transport sector is transitioning, with the sale of electric vehicles (EVs) projected to reach 35% of total vehicle sales in 2030. The shift to EVs and other climate-driven policies are expected to have significant benefits for air quality and public health.
India's agricultural sector also contributes significantly to air pollution, particularly through the burning of crop residues. India is the second-largest producer of rice and wheat globally, and the rapid pace of crop production has led to the burning of surplus crop residues. This practice generates excessive particulate matter emissions and causes air pollution, with northern areas like Delhi observing a significant rise in air pollution levels in recent years. The government has introduced measures and campaigns to promote sustainable management methods, such as converting crop residue into energy, and laws such as The Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1981, aim to curb crop residue burning. However, the implementation of these techniques requires addressing socioeconomic aspects and providing alternatives to small and medium farmers for whom crop burning is currently the most cost-effective solution.
Industrial activities also play a role in India's pollution levels. The country's energy-related CO2 emissions are expected to increase due to the continued reliance on gasoline and diesel for road transport. The IEA's Stated Policy Scenario (STEPS) projects that energy demand and CO2 emissions will peak in the 2040s and only marginally decline without further intervention. However, India's transition to electric vehicles and the implementation of climate-driven policies are positive steps towards reducing industrial emissions and improving air quality.
Overall, vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and crop-burning practices significantly contribute to India's poor air quality. While efforts are being made to address these issues, more comprehensive planning, policy alignment, and consideration of socioeconomic factors are needed to achieve long-lasting solutions.
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Construction dust and debris are major sources of particulate pollution
India has some of the highest air pollution levels in the world, and its capital, New Delhi, has been ranked as the world's most polluted city. While there are various sources of pollution in the country, construction dust and debris are major contributors to particulate pollution.
Construction sites generate large amounts of dust and debris, which can remain suspended in the air and contribute to air pollution. In 2014, a study by Jamia Millia Islamia's Civil Engineering Department examined 19 construction sites in Delhi and found that five of them had PM10 levels four times the prescribed limit, while 14 others had levels three times the normal amount. On average, Delhi produces 5,000 metric tonnes of construction and demolition waste daily, with 2,000 metric tonnes generated in North Delhi alone. The city has only one plant to process this waste, and as a result, tons of debris pile up on the banks of the Yamuna River.
The health impacts of this particulate pollution are significant. A study on Delhi's air quality estimated that high levels of PM10 and PM2.5 could result in 7,350 to 16,200 premature deaths and 6 million asthma attacks annually. Additionally, a Central Pollution Control Board study found that 23% of children in Delhi's urban areas exhibited upper and lower respiratory symptoms.
Construction dust and debris are not the only sources of India's particulate pollution. Industrial and vehicular emissions, thermal power dependence, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating in low-income and rural households also play a significant role. However, construction activities and the dust they generate are immediate contributors to the country's air pollution crisis, particularly in densely populated cities like Delhi.
To address this issue, the government has implemented various measures. For example, in November 2017, the Delhi government introduced an Odd-Even Rule, where cars with number plates ending in odd or even digits could only be driven on specific days of the week. Additionally, local governments have enforced tighter vehicle emission norms, higher penalties for burning rubbish, and better control of road dust. These measures aim to reduce particulate pollution and improve air quality, ensuring the health and well-being of India's citizens.
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Tyre pyrolysis plants contribute to severe air pollution and health issues
India has been ranked seventh among countries most affected by climate change, and it emits about 3 gigatonnes of greenhouse gases annually. In 2014, the World Health Organization declared New Delhi the most polluted city globally, and the city continues to experience severe air pollution. While tyre pyrolysis plants can help address the issue of tyre waste, they have also been identified as contributors to air pollution and health issues in India.
Tyre pyrolysis is a process that converts waste tyres into valuable products such as pyrolysis oil, carbon black powder, scrap steel wires, and gas. These products are in high demand in the market. The pyrolysis process involves the thermal decomposition of chemicals or materials at high temperatures in an oxygen-free or low-oxygen atmosphere. While pyrolysis gas has a safer composition compared to combustion, it still releases polluting gases, including harmful substances like carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds, and hazardous pollutants such as heavy metals.
Traditional tyre pyrolysis plants have been suspended by government departments due to their significant environmental impact. These plants release polluting gases directly into the air, causing a pungent smell and adverse effects on human health. Additionally, the process of pyrolyzing tyres produces carbon black, a powdery substance that can impact the environment if not properly treated. Unqualified waste plastic pyrolysis plants further contribute to air and land pollution by failing to adhere to environmental emission regulations.
To address the pollution caused by traditional tyre pyrolysis plants, companies have developed new plant designs with control systems for wastewater and waste gas management. The DOING company, for instance, has implemented a circulating water system for cooling and dust removal, ensuring continuous use. They have also introduced a desulfurization column deodorization system to address the issue of polluting gases.
While tyre pyrolysis can be a safe and environmentally friendly method for recycling used tyres, it is crucial to handle, treat, store, and transport the products properly to ensure the safety of both the environment and the population. The pyrolysis process can contribute to air pollution if not executed correctly, and insufficient gas treatment during partial pyrolysis can result in the production of dioxins, hexanes, and furans. Proper gas treatment and recycling are essential to prevent the release of hazardous substances and reduce fuel consumption.
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Traffic congestion and poor traffic law enforcement lead to increased pollution
India has been ranked seventh among countries most affected by climate change, and air pollution is a significant issue. The country emits 7% of global emissions, despite having 17% of the world's population. The capital, New Delhi, has been ranked as the world's most polluted city, with air quality dropping to hazardous levels in November 2024. The state of the city's air is so poor that schools have been closed, and construction has been halted.
Traffic congestion is a severe problem in India's cities and towns, and this is a major contributor to the country's air pollution crisis. The number of vehicles on the roads has increased, and the infrastructure cannot cope. There is a lack of intra-city divided-lane highways and intra-city expressways networks, as well as a lack of inter-city expressways. This leads to slower traffic speeds, which in turn causes vehicles to burn fuel inefficiently and pollute more per trip. Scientific studies have shown that at average trip speeds between 20 and 40 kilometres per hour, car pollutant emissions are twice as high as when the average speed is 55 to 75 kilometres per hour. At even slower speeds of 5 to 20 kilometres per hour, emissions are four to eight times higher. The slow traffic also results in a build-up of local pollution, especially under stagnant conditions.
The poor enforcement of traffic laws also contributes to the congestion. Overloaded vehicles are a significant issue, with economic pressure on truck operators, a lack of enforcement and monitoring, and inadequate infrastructure such as weigh stations. A Supreme Court judgment in 2018 mandated fines for trucks exceeding their weight limit, but the problem persists. In addition, the quality of roads is poor, with potholes and damage from axle load contributing to traffic chaos.
To address these issues, a multifaceted approach is needed. This could include disincentivizing the purchase and use of personal vehicles, improving public transportation, and implementing better emissions norms and their enforcement. The introduction of car-free zones and a shift to electric vehicles can also help reduce emissions. Improving the condition of existing roads and creating more efficient transportation networks can optimize land utilization and improve traffic flow.
The Indian government has taken some steps to tackle air pollution, such as launching the National Clean Air Programme in 2019, which aims to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. Local governments have also implemented measures such as tighter vehicle emissions norms, higher penalties for burning rubbish, and better control of road dust. However, more needs to be done to address the severe traffic congestion and poor traffic law enforcement that contribute to India's air pollution crisis.
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Frequently asked questions
Delhi is the most polluted city in India, with an AQI of 310 in October 2024.
The main causes of pollution in Delhi are vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and seasonal crop-burning practices.
The government in Delhi launched an Odd-Even Rule in November 2017, which means that cars with number plates ending in odd digits can only be driven on certain days of the week, while cars with even digits are driven on the remaining days.
Other cities in India that face severe pollution challenges include Singrauli and several in the state of Haryana.
