Air Pollution In India: Government's Struggle For Clean Air

India has had persistent problems with air pollution, which causes more than 2 million premature deaths a year and costs the country billions of dollars in economic losses. The Indian government has struggled to reduce air pollution due to a combination of factors, including rising urbanisation, booming industrialisation, and associated anthropogenic activities. The government has introduced various policy measures to reduce vehicular and industrial emissions, but the implementation and enforcement of these measures have been inconsistent.

Additionally, India's rapid population growth has led to excessive strain on energy consumption, further degrading air quality. The country's reliance on thermal power plants, crop burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating contribute significantly to air pollution levels.

To address these challenges, the Indian government has launched initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme, which aims to reduce particulate matter pollution by 30% by 2024. However, the success of these initiatives remains to be seen, and India continues to face an uphill battle in reducing air pollution and improving air quality for its citizens.

Poor enforcement of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act

India is the world's second most polluted country, with air pollution causing one in eight deaths. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, or the Air Act, was passed by the Parliament of India in 1981 and amended in 1987. This was the government's first concrete step to combat air pollution. However, the poor enforcement of this Act has been a significant challenge in reducing air pollution in India.

The Air Act established the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), whose powers extended across India. The CPCB was tasked with directing state-level pollution control, with the Act calling for the establishment of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) in each state. However, a lack of coordination and inconsistent enforcement of the Act by these boards have hindered its effectiveness. For example, the CPCB has struggled to effectively monitor and regulate industrial emissions, with many industries continuing to operate without adequate pollution control measures.

The Act also lacks clear guidelines and standards for pollution control, particularly in addressing the complex and varied sources of air pollution in India. This has led to challenges in implementing effective policies and measures. For instance, while the Act recognises the contribution of stubble burning to air pollution, it does not provide clear guidelines on preventing or mitigating this practice.

Furthermore, the penalties outlined in the Act for non-compliance with CPCB directives, including imprisonment and fines, are often not strictly enforced. This has resulted in a lack of deterrence and allowed polluters to continue their harmful activities without fear of consequences.

The poor enforcement of the Air Act is also due to a lack of resources and capacity at the state level. Many states lack the necessary equipment and trained personnel to effectively monitor and enforce air pollution regulations. Additionally, there is a lack of coordination and data sharing between state and central agencies, further hindering effective enforcement.

To improve the enforcement of the Air Act, India could consider the following measures:

• Strengthening the CPCB by providing additional resources and authority to effectively monitor and enforce the Act across all states.
• Developing clear guidelines and standards for pollution control, particularly for complex and varied sources of air pollution, to provide a more comprehensive framework for enforcement.
• Enhancing coordination and data sharing between state and central agencies to ensure consistent and effective enforcement across the country.
• Strict implementation of penalties for non-compliance, including utilising the provisions in the Act for imprisonment and fines, to create a stronger deterrent against air pollution violations.

Behavioural patterns among people accepting green solutions

The Indian government has implemented various initiatives to combat air pollution, including the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to reduce particulate matter pollution by 20-30% by 2024. However, the situation has not improved and continues to show alarming trends. One of the key challenges in reducing air pollution is the behavioural patterns among people in accepting green solutions.

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The lack of public interest in emission control measures and an inefficient traffic management system are significant hurdles to achieving clean air in India. The success of government measures depends on public support, and the lack of public interest can result in significant losses in investments in infrastructural facilities. It is crucial to address the behavioural patterns of the population to ensure the effectiveness of green solutions.

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Public awareness and education play a vital role in encouraging people to accept and adopt green solutions. The government should initiate public awareness programmes in every city, both rural and urban, highlighting the importance of managing air pollution at its source and the various control measures that can be implemented. Such initiatives can significantly reduce activities that contribute to air pollution, such as open burning of waste, crop burning, and the use of biomass as cooking fuel.

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The behavioural patterns among people in accepting green solutions are influenced by socio-economic factors. For example, in the case of straw burning, a recurrent problem in India, there are socio-economic aspects embedded within this practice that decision-makers must consider when implementing policies. Addressing the underlying socio-economic factors can help reduce air pollution and improve public acceptance of green solutions.

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The government's initiatives to promote clean energy and reduce air pollution, such as the adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel and the introduction of electric vehicles, may face resistance from the public due to behavioural patterns and habits. Encouraging the use of clean energy and technologies requires behavioural changes, and the government should focus on raising awareness and providing incentives to facilitate the transition.

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The success of green solutions also depends on the active participation of citizens. Citizen groups can play a crucial role in promoting and accepting green solutions. They can advocate for sustainable practices, raise awareness about the impacts of air pollution, and support the implementation of environmental policies. By involving citizen groups, the government can increase public acceptance and facilitate behavioural changes necessary for improving air quality.

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To address the behavioural patterns among people accepting green solutions, the government should focus on raising awareness, providing education, and involving citizen groups. By combining these approaches, India can make significant progress in reducing air pollution and improving public health and environmental sustainability.

Inadequate financial resources to implement advanced infrastructure

India's air pollution problem is a complex issue that has severe consequences for the country's economy, public health, and environment. While the Indian government has implemented various measures to tackle this issue, inadequate financial resources remain a significant challenge in the adoption of advanced infrastructure and technologies for reducing air pollution. Here are some paragraphs discussing this issue in detail:

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The Indian government's efforts to combat air pollution have been hindered by limited financial resources, making it difficult to implement advanced infrastructure and technologies. This lack of funding has constrained the country's ability to adopt innovative solutions, such as those offered by clean energy and e-mobility sectors. For example, the transition to cleaner energy sources and the promotion of electric vehicles could significantly reduce air pollution levels. However, the required infrastructure upgrades and technological advancements demand substantial financial investments, which India has struggled to allocate due to various economic constraints.

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The financial constraints in implementing advanced infrastructure are evident in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). While NCAP aims to reduce particulate matter (PM) pollution by 20-30% by 2024, it has faced challenges due to insufficient budgetary allocations. The programme lacks a clear fiscal strategy, and the allocated funds remain stagnant and inadequate. This has hindered the ability to conduct comprehensive monitoring, adopt innovative financial tools, and ensure dedicated funds for NCAP's successful implementation. As a result, India continues to lag in the necessary infrastructure upgrades required to combat air pollution effectively.

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The lack of financial resources also impacts the adoption of advanced technologies in the transport sector. Electric vehicles (EVs), for instance, offer a promising solution to reduce air pollution from transportation, which contributes significantly to India's overall emissions. However, the upfront cost of EVs remains high, deterring their widespread adoption. Financial institutions need to step up and increase their investment in clean technologies, including EVs. Additionally, the government should focus on crowding in private investment and improving public-private partnerships to promote equal collaboration and effective risk-sharing. These measures are crucial to making clean technologies more accessible and affordable for the Indian population.

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In addition to financial constraints, India also faces challenges in terms of regulatory and governance structures. The energy sector, for instance, suffers from poor financial conditions and a lack of accountability among state-level distribution companies, hindering the implementation of regulations. Transport-related policies have primarily focused on fiscal incentives, while regulatory instruments such as stringent energy efficiency standards and production mandates for zero-emission technologies remain underutilised. Strengthening the regulatory framework and improving governance are essential to facilitate the adoption of advanced infrastructure and technologies for reducing air pollution.

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The inadequate financial resources allocated to address air pollution in India have far-reaching consequences. The economic cost of air pollution to India's economy is estimated to be over US$150 billion annually. Additionally, air pollution leads to increased public health expenditure, diminished labour productivity, and reduced agricultural yields. The health impacts are significant, with air pollution causing more than 2 million deaths per year in India and contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Addressing this issue effectively requires sufficient financial investment in advanced infrastructure and technologies to mitigate emissions and improve air quality.

Difficulty in relocating industries from urban centres

The Indian government has faced challenges in relocating industries from urban centres, which has contributed to air pollution in these areas. This issue is particularly prominent in Delhi, which is the most polluted capital city in the world and has particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations nearly 10 times higher than the World Health Organization guidelines.

One of the main obstacles to relocating industries is the lack of infrastructure and financial resources to implement advanced infrastructural innovations. There is also a behavioural aspect, with people being resistant to accepting green solutions.

The Indian government has implemented various policy measures to reduce vehicular and industrial emissions, but the extent to which these measures are enforced is questionable. For example, the government has introduced the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to reduce particulate matter pollution by 30% by 2024. However, the success of this programme relies on effective enforcement and a comprehensive approach that addresses pollution sources in both rural and urban settings.

Relocating industries away from urban centres is a complex task that requires significant resources and coordination between different levels of government. It also needs to be accompanied by other measures, such as improving fuel quality and vehicle emissions standards, to have a meaningful impact on air quality.

Furthermore, the issue of air pollution in India is not just limited to urban areas but is a nationwide problem, with rural areas also experiencing high levels of air pollution. This highlights the need for a comprehensive and targeted approach that addresses the specific sources of pollution in both urban and rural settings.

Overall, the difficulty in relocating industries from urban centres is a significant challenge that needs to be addressed through a combination of policy measures, infrastructure development, and behavioural changes to improve air quality in India.

Poor traffic management and congestion

The situation is particularly dire in Delhi and other major Indian cities, where the average trip speed on many roads is less than 20 kilometres per hour, and a 10-kilometre trip can take 30 minutes or more. At such low speeds, vehicles in India emit four to eight times more air pollutants and consume significantly more fuel per trip than they would under less congested conditions.

The high levels of congestion and the resulting low traffic speeds also increase the risk of accidents and their severity. The number of people injured in accidents increased threefold from 13 to 42 per lakh population between 1970 and 2011. The risk is especially high for pedestrians and people on two-wheelers, who are most vulnerable in the event of a road traffic accident.

In addition to air pollution, traffic congestion also contributes to noise pollution, which has been linked to various health issues such as hearing loss, annoyance, disturbed sleep, headache, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Indian studies have shown that vehicular traffic is a significant source of noise pollution in urban areas.

To address these issues, the Indian government has implemented various measures such as introducing cleaner fuels, improving fuel efficiency standards, promoting electric vehicles, and expanding public transportation systems like metro trains. However, more comprehensive and effective traffic management strategies are needed to reduce congestion and its associated environmental and health impacts.

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