Bronte Wells
Delhi, the capital of India, has been ranked as the most polluted city in the world. The air pollution in Delhi is so severe that it has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children. The city's poor air quality is caused by a multitude of factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, agricultural stubble burning, construction dust, waste burning, and geographical factors. While efforts have been made to improve air quality, such as the implementation of anti-smog measures and the regulation of construction dust, the problem persists, and Delhi continues to struggle with hazardous levels of air pollution.
What You'll Learn
Stubble burning in neighbouring states
Delhi, the capital of India, is one of the most polluted cities globally, with air pollution posing a significant health risk to its residents. While there are multiple factors contributing to Delhi's poor air quality, one significant factor is stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Punjab and Haryana, located west of Delhi, are primarily agrarian states with massive rice and wheat production. To quickly and cheaply prepare fields for the next crop, farmers often resort to stubble burning, a practice made illegal in 2015 but still prevalent. The north-westerly winds carry the smoke from these fires into Delhi, leading to a significant deterioration in air quality, especially from October to December. The contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's pollution varies, with some data suggesting it accounts for up to 30-35% of the city's pollution during the crop-burning season in October and November. Other data, however, indicates a lower contribution, with stubble burning accounting for only 1-2% of Delhi's air pollution on certain days.
The increase in stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is partly attributed to the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009, which was intended to conserve groundwater by restricting the cultivation period for water-intensive paddy crops. This legislation gave farmers a shorter window to burn the stubble, resulting in synchronised burning during October and November. The impact of stubble burning is further exacerbated by meteorological conditions, such as temperature inversion, which traps pollutants in Delhi's air, making it unlivable during certain periods.
In recent years, there has been a push for alternative solutions to stubble burning. In 2020, the Punjab Government announced it would purchase crops that require less water, such as maize and sorghum, encouraging farmers to adopt more sustainable practices. Additionally, the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) has been tracking stubble-burning incidents, although they have recently ceased updating their publicly accessible bulletins, which is concerning for those trying to address pollution issues.
While stubble burning in neighbouring states is a significant contributor to Delhi's air pollution, it is essential to recognise that it is not the sole cause. Other factors, such as vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, construction dust, waste burning, and festive celebrations like Diwali, also play a substantial role in Delhi's poor air quality. Addressing all these factors through comprehensive policies and regulations is crucial to improving the city's air quality and mitigating the severe health risks associated with pollution.
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Vehicular emissions
Delhi has been named the most polluted capital city in the world for seven consecutive years, with PM2.5 levels close to 18 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) safe limit. Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to the city's poor air quality.
A 1997 white paper on Delhi's air pollution identified the transport sector as the chief culprit, estimating that it accounted for 72% of ambient air pollution. Despite efforts to improve air quality, Delhi continues to struggle with hazardous levels of pollution from vehicles. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's air quality index (AQI) has consistently remained at "severe" levels, with PM2.5 and PM10 being major contributors to this crisis. These microscopic particles, suspended in the fog, create a dense smog that poses long-term respiratory health risks even for healthy individuals.
To address vehicular emissions, Delhi has introduced various measures, including the conversion of buses and autos to CNG, the Delhi Metro, incentives for the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), and schemes for vehicle scrappage. However, the impact of these initiatives has been limited, and Delhi continues to grapple with severe air pollution from vehicular emissions.
According to the central government's Decision Support System for Air Quality Management, vehicular emissions contributed almost 16% of the capital's pollution on a particular day. While this is a significant proportion, it is important to note that other factors, such as stubble burning from neighbouring states and industrial emissions, also play a role in Delhi's overall air pollution levels.
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Industrial point sources
Delhi's industrial pollution stems from several sources, including power plants, steel plants, and other heavy industries. The Badarpur Thermal Power Station, a coal-fired power plant, was a major source of particulate matter pollution in Delhi, contributing 80-90% of such pollution from the electric power sector before its permanent shutdown in 2018. Coal-fired power plants continue to operate in the Delhi-NCR region, and low-sulfur coal burning is not banned. These power plants are significant polluters, with coal-burning contributing to the emission of harmful particles.
In addition to power plants, heavy industries such as steel plants also contribute to Delhi's air pollution. Sunil Dahiya, the founder of a climate think tank, has called for stricter regulations on these big polluting industries, which he claims freely flout the laws.
Industrial activities, including illegal ones, also contribute to air pollution in Delhi. Solid fuel combustion sources, such as wood-burning fires, cow dung cake combustion, and fires on agricultural land, release emissions that are more reactive and toxic than other fuel sources. These emissions contribute to the production of secondary organic aerosols, releasing various organic components into the air.
Furthermore, industrial sources contribute to secondary particle generation, which is a significant source of PM10 and PM2.5 pollution. These secondary particles result from industrial activities and vehicular emissions, with vehicles being a significant source of pollution. The large number of vehicles in Delhi, including cars, scooters, and auto-rickshaws, emit deadly small particles (PM2.5) that pose a particular health risk to the city's residents.
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Firecrackers during Diwali
Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world, especially during the winter months from October to January. These months coincide with Diwali, a religious festival celebrated by Indians.
Diwali is a festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness and the triumph of knowledge over ignorance. However, the use of firecrackers during the festival has become a major source of air pollution in Delhi. The burning of firecrackers releases harmful pollutants into the air, including PM2.5 particles, which are small enough to be inhaled and cause respiratory issues.
Research and studies have confirmed the link between firecracker burning and air pollution in Delhi. Data shows that the concentration of PM2.5 particles rises during and after Diwali, with a statistically significant increase in air pollution levels. The Indian government has attempted to address this issue by banning the sale and use of firecrackers during Diwali, but these bans have been challenging to enforce, and many Indians continue to use firecrackers during the festival.
The impact of firecrackers on Delhi's air quality varies across different locations within the city. Other factors, such as wind speed and direction, also influence the extent of pollution. For example, in 2022, the festival was celebrated earlier than usual, and the weather conditions prevented the air quality from reaching the "severe" category, despite the use of fireworks.
In addition to firecrackers, other sources of pollution during Diwali include increased vehicle traffic as people travel to visit family and buy gifts, as well as the burning of farm stubble in neighbouring states. The combination of these factors contributes to the overall deterioration of air quality in Delhi during and after the Diwali festival.
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Lack of public transport
Delhi's air pollution is largely attributed to its heavy dependence on private vehicles, which contribute to increased nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, significantly impacting air quality. This reliance on private transport is a result of the city's inadequate public transportation system, characterised by a shortage of buses, poor connectivity, and high costs.
Firstly, despite a 1998 Supreme Court directive to have a public bus fleet of 10,000, Delhi falls short with only 7,683 buses as of July 2024. This shortage, coupled with inadequate frequency and poor coverage, discourages residents from choosing public transit. Long wait times at bus stops, with over 50% exceeding 15 minutes, further deter commuters from utilising public transportation.
Secondly, the integration and last-mile connectivity of Delhi's public transport system require improvement. The lack of multi-modal integration makes it challenging for commuters to easily transfer between different transport modes. Additionally, the metro system is perceived as poorly connected and expensive, limiting its accessibility for many residents.
Thirdly, the total journey cost for public transport users is often higher than for private transport users due to hidden costs such as time spent waiting and changing routes, especially for buses. Approximately 50% of public transport users spend 18% of their annual income on commuting, compared to 12% for those using private vehicles. This disparity in costs discourages people from opting for public transportation.
Lastly, the taxation structure in Delhi favours personal vehicle users. Public transport operators face higher taxes than private vehicle owners, creating a hidden subsidy for personal vehicles. This subsidy needs to be addressed through rationalised taxation based on the "polluter pays" principle, where taxes are aligned with emissions and road usage.
In summary, the lack of efficient, accessible, and affordable public transportation in Delhi discourages residents from utilising these options, leading to a greater reliance on private vehicles, which are significant contributors to the city's air pollution. Addressing these issues through the expansion and improvement of public transportation options is crucial for reducing Delhi's air pollution levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Delhi's pollution is caused by a combination of geographical factors, population density, traffic, and agricultural practices. The Himalayas trap cold air in Delhi, causing a phenomenon called temperature inversion, which prevents pollutants from being distributed. The city also has high levels of vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and construction dust.
Stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana contributes significantly to Delhi's air pollution. The smoke from these fires is blown into Delhi by north-westerly winds, and it is trapped by the meteorological conditions, creating a thick cloud of smoke over the city.
Efforts to address Delhi's pollution include the implementation of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), vehicle emissions standards, the closure of coal power plants, the use of anti-smog guns, and the regulation of construction dust. However, progress has been slow due to a lack of strict enforcement and coordination.
