Delhi's Air Pollution: A Complex Crisis

Delhi, India's capital territory, has been ranked as the city with the worst air pollution of any major city in the world. The air pollution in Delhi is estimated to kill about 2 million people every year and has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children. The air pollution in Delhi is a result of a combination of factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, agricultural waste burning, residential emissions, construction, and overpopulation. The Indian government has attempted to mitigate the issue with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and a fireworks sales ban ahead of Diwali, but the air quality in Delhi remains a severe problem.

Vehicular emissions

Delhi's air pollution is a public health crisis, with the air quality deteriorating to hazardous levels during the winter months. Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to this crisis. Delhi's roads are crowded with vehicles, many of which are old and release high levels of harmful gases. The millions of cars, scooters, and auto-rickshaws on the roads are the worst emitters of PM2.5, the small deadly particles that pose a particular health risk. Research shows that private vehicles are the city's worst emitters of PM2.5 pollution.

The lack of sufficient public transport options forces many people to rely on private cars, exacerbating the problem. The metro is perceived as poorly connected and expensive, while the bus system is underfunded and overloaded. As a result, residents have few incentives to give up their private vehicles, leading to constant traffic jams and increased pollution levels.

Vehicle emissions are not the sole cause of Delhi's air pollution, and it is important to acknowledge the role of other factors, such as crop stubble burning in neighbouring states, industrial activities, and construction dust. However, addressing vehicular emissions is crucial in mitigating the overall air pollution levels in Delhi.

To tackle the issue of vehicular emissions, authorities have implemented measures such as banning highly polluting vehicles from the roads during periods of high pollution. Additionally, there is a need for improved public transport infrastructure and regulations on big polluting industries to reduce emissions from the transportation sector.

The crisis in Delhi is not an isolated incident, and it is clear that immediate and effective measures are required to address the root causes of air pollution, protect public health, and improve the air quality in the city.

Crop burning in neighbouring states

Delhi's air pollution is largely attributed to crop burning in neighbouring states, with farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh burning crop stubble to clear fields after harvesting rice. This practice releases massive amounts of smoke and harmful particles into the air, which are then carried by north-westerly winds into Delhi, significantly deteriorating the city's air quality. During the crop-burning season, this practice can account for up to 30% to 40% of Delhi's pollution, according to government agencies.

The Indian government has attempted to address this issue through various measures, including subsidies on better harvesting machines and stubble decomposers, as well as a ban on residue burning since 2015. However, enforcement has proved challenging due to the free spread of smoke and the influence of farmer lobbies. To incentivize farmers to stop burning crop residue, the government has also explored Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) contracts, which offer cash transfers conditional on not burning crop residue. Research suggests that providing partial upfront payments in PES contracts increases farmers' trust and improves the effectiveness of this approach.

While farmers' burning of crop stubble is a significant contributor to Delhi's air pollution, it is important to recognize that it is not the sole cause. Delhi's air pollution is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including transportation emissions, industrial activities, waste burning, and construction dust. Therefore, a comprehensive approach targeting multiple sources of pollution is necessary to effectively improve Delhi's air quality.

Industrial pollution

Delhi, India's capital territory, recorded the second-worst air pollution levels in 2024. The city experiences the worst winter air pollution of any major city, driven by crop burning in nearby states, stagnant cold air, weak wind patterns, and industrial emissions.

To address industrial pollution, the Delhi government has implemented several measures. As part of the city's Winter Action Plan, 58 teams have been formed to monitor industrial units and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. These teams will regularly inspect industrial units and enforce strict punitive measures for non-compliance with environmental standards. The government has also targeted the use of more sustainable alternative resources to reduce pollution from conventional resources.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain in managing industrial emissions at scale. There is a critical gap in India's air quality strategy, with a need for a more targeted approach combining technology, market-based incentives, and regulatory improvements. Staffing shortages within regulatory bodies hinder field inspections, emissions data analysis, and timely enforcement actions, impacting the effectiveness of interventions.

The high population density and rapid urbanization of Delhi have also led to increased industrial activity, further contributing to air pollution. Industrial effluents and chemical runoff from modern agricultural activities have severely degraded the environment, impacting both air and water quality.

Overpopulation

Delhi, the capital territory of India, has been dubbed the city with the worst air pollution of any major city in the world. The air pollution in Delhi is so severe that it has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children.

One of the main causes of Delhi's poor air quality is the high population density. With 30 million people living in and around the capital, the city is densely populated. This contributes to the heavy traffic congestion in the city, with millions of cars, scooters, and auto-rickshaws on Delhi's roads, emitting harmful gases and contributing to the city's poor air quality. The lack of efficient and affordable public transportation options further exacerbates this problem, forcing many people to rely on private vehicles.

The overpopulation in Delhi also leads to increased construction activities, which contribute to air pollution through dust and other emissions. The city's rapid growth and constant construction of new buildings and roads generate significant amounts of dust, especially during dry weather conditions. This dust contains harmful particles that affect air quality and pose risks to human health.

Additionally, the high population density in Delhi results in increased industrial activities to meet the demands of the growing population. These industrial activities, including coal-fired power plants and steel plants, release harmful emissions into the atmosphere, further contributing to the city's air pollution levels.

The overpopulation in Delhi also impacts the surrounding regions, as the city's demand for resources and infrastructure extends beyond its boundaries. This leads to increased pollution from neighbouring states, such as agricultural stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab, which significantly affects Delhi's air quality during the crop-burning season.

Poor investment in public infrastructure

Delhi's air pollution is a public health emergency, and the city has been named the world's most polluted city for a decade. The Indian government has recognised the need for investment in infrastructure, with a focus on transport and safety. However, the city's public infrastructure remains neglected, with poor connectivity to essential services, inadequate water supply, and a lack of efficient transport logistics.

The water supply infrastructure in Delhi is deficient, with broken pipelines leading to seepage and, at times, sewer water contamination. Industries in West Delhi suffer annual losses due to drainage water and sewage flooding their premises. The government collects substantial property taxes but fails to maintain the infrastructure, and consumers are burdened with inflated water bills without receiving adequate water supplies.

The transport infrastructure in Delhi is also inadequate, with a lack of efficient transport networks and poor road organisation in the West Delhi Industrial Area. The city's rapid economic growth and expanding industries have resulted in congested roads and constant traffic jams, further contributing to air pollution. The metro system is perceived as poorly connected and expensive, while the bus system is underfunded and overloaded. As a result, many residents rely on private vehicles, exacerbating the pollution problem.

The Indian government has recognised the need for investment in infrastructure and is seeking greater private investment in railways and transport infrastructure projects. However, without significant investment and improvements in public infrastructure, Delhi's air pollution crisis will persist, and the health of citizens will continue to be at risk.

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