BhaWhy has Rat failed to clear its toxic smoke? State officials promote an experimental plan that involves stimulating clouds to produce rain, but scientists are skeptical. Delhi is often considered one of the most polluted cities across the world, facing a serious decline in air quality despite technological advances and policy interventions. In November 2024, the air quality index crossed critical levels, reaching 500 in some areas, far above the “severe” threshold of 400. This dire situation underlines the urgent need for effective, longterm solutions to tackle the city's growing pollution crisis. General air pollution in India is linked to burning coal to generate more than half of its electricity.
In Delhi, this combines with emissions from millions of cars and smoke from the construction industry, where there are no pollution controls. Some also blame the widespread use of firecrackers during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights in late October. Authorities had banned the use of traditional firecrackers in 2017 and allowed people to use only environmentally friendly lights, but the rule was not properly enforced. PM 2.5, fine particulate matter present in polluted air, penetrates deep into the lungs and causes health problems, especially for children, the elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people die from respiratory diseases in India. The World Air Quality Report in 2021 found that no cities in India met the updated World Health Organization safety standard of 5 micrograms of PM 2.5 per cubic meter of air. Almost half of the states in India have crossed this limit by more than 10 times. Rapid urbanization and increasing number of private vehicles contribute significantly to particulate matter emissions.
The SAFAR Index shows that vehicles are the primary pollutant, contributing about 40 per cent of PM 2.5 emissions and 81 per cent of nitrogen oxides. Industries in and around Delhi release poisonous gases due to outdated technology and lack of proper emission controls. NGT has directed closure of all brick kilns including brick kilns with zigzag technology on the basis of capacity report submitted by CPCB.
Burning of crop residues in Punjab and Haryana releases huge amounts of smoke and particulates into Delhi's air. Ongoing construction projects in NCR generate large amounts of dust due to inadequate control measures. Construction of highways and metro lines has led to increase in PM10 levels during project execution. Delhi's location in the IndoGangetic plain and low wind speeds during winter trap pollutants, creating a dense smog layer.
Preventive measures to address Delhi's air pollution are to promote clean fuels like CNG, electric vehicles and switching to clean fuels like hydrogen can reduce vehicular emissions to a great extent. Under Delhi's electric vehicle policy, all delivery service providers will have to convert 50% of their fleet to electric vehicles by 2023 and 100% by 2025. Encouraging farmers to adopt biodecomposer and noburn techniques can reduce stubble burning.
Saguna rice technology in Maharashtra reduces stubble burning. Expanding public transportation systems can reduce reliance on private vehicles, thereby curbing emissions. The expansion of Delhi Metro Phase IV aims to improve connectivity and reduce trafficrelated pollution. Use of biodecomposer developed by Pusa is one of the important options for stubble management.
Mandating use of dust suppressants like water sprinkling and antismog guns at construction sites. During the winter of 2021, the Air Quality Management Commission initiated a series of emergency measures, banning construction, and implementing intensified dust control measures. Expanding green spaces and planting trees along roads can act as natural air purifiers. Nagar Van Yojana is an opportunity for greenery in NCR subregions.
Remedial measures to remove air pollution of Delhi. Installing smog towers in important areas can help in reducing pollutant levels at the local level. The smog tower of Connaught Place has shown local improvement in air quality during peak times of pollution. Advanced monitoring tools like realtime pollution monitoring sensors can provide accurate data for targeted interventions Air Quality Management Commission promotes interstate cooperation to address Delhi's air quality crisis.
Educating the public on environmentally friendly practices, such as idling vehicles, can significantly impact pollution levels. Campaigns such as “Red Light On, Car Off” encourage behavior change to reduce emissions. General air pollution in India is linked to the burning of coal, which generates more than half of its electricity. In Delhi, this is combined with emissions from millions of cars and smoke from the construction industry, where pollution is not controlled.
The crisis worsens from October to January, when cold weather coincides with largescale burning of crop stubble. The smoke comes from the neighboring states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, as thousands of farmers burn agricultural waste after the harvest season. However, heavy winter winds trap pollutants closer to the ground, making the smog even worse.
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Image Credit: KhasKhabar.