According to the World Air Quality Report, up to 35 of the 50 cities with the poorest air quality are in India, with New Delhi continuing to be the most polluted capital city in the world for the fourth consecutive year in 2021. PM2.5 and PM10 levels in Delhi are higher than both the more stringent World Health Organization guidelines and national regulations. For Delhi to reach the national criteria for PM2.5, there must be a drop of 65%. In addition to reducing vision, acid rain, and ozone generation at the tropospheric level, this air pollution also has an adverse effect on human health and the environment. In view of the above, the government has taken numerous steps such as the introduction of the Red Light On, Gaadi Off Campaign, smog guns, the ban on diesel generators, etc. This article will explain to you about Steps Taken to Reduce Air Pollution in Delhi which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

Delhi Air Pollution - Causes

Stubble Burning

• The states of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh border the national capital region of Delhi on all sides, and the Himalayas to the north, making it the landlocked region.
• Stubble burning is mostly the cause of Delhi's air pollution, especially in Punjab and Haryana, regions with significant rice and wheat production.
• Stubble burning is the intentional setting of straw stubble that remains after grains like wheat and rice have been harvested on fire.
• Burning usually reaches its peak around the first week of November, when many farmers burn leftover rice stalks and straw from the harvest as a practical way to clear fields.
• Paddy is burned extensively as the new harvest season gets underway, causing a thick blanket of smog to cover the Northern Plains, including Delhi NCR.
• Farmers in neighboring states have the mistaken perception that burning the stubble will restore the nutrients to the land.

Vehicular Emissions

• Delhi's largest source of PM2.5 emissions comes from the transportation industry (28 percent of all PM2.5 emissions).
• In Delhi's air, vehicles are also responsible for 80% of the nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.
• In March 2018, there were 10.9 million cars in Delhi, including more than 7 million two-wheelers.
• The total number of emissions from vehicles in Delhi also includes emissions from four-wheelers registered in other states.
• In 2018, vehicles from outside Delhi made up between 25 and 45 percent of all four-wheeler emissions.

Industrial Pollution

• In India, Delhi has the largest concentration of small-scale industries. According to evaluations by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital is surrounded by industrial clusters that are extremely polluting and do not adhere to emission standards for the air, water, or soil.
• The Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) is home to 3,182 industries, which contribute 18.6% of the region's total industrial pollution.
• Industrial areas near the busiest roadways have emissions in the range of 200 to 1000 tonnes per year.
• The central government's ineffective carbon tax policy makes the issue still worse.
• Major industries have turned to less expensive fossil fuel-based alternatives to escape the carbon tax because it is only applied to coal.
• To the relief of the national capital region, the Supreme Court prohibited the use of furnace oil and petroleum coke in the NCR in 2017.
• However, these fuels are still being utilized in neighboring states, and the emissions from them are a factor in Delhi's air quality index.

Construction Activities

• Pollutant levels at construction sites are high and over time, they can travel great distances.
• The busiest months for business are December through June, and there are over 360 brick kilns on the outskirts of NCT.
• Since the winds are generally faster in the summer and spring, and gases do not stay suspended in one area, their emissions increase throughout these seasons.
• The hazardous mixture is known as "smog" is significantly influenced by fine particles from construction activity.
• Officials with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) claim that dust from construction projects is responsible for 30% of the region's air pollution.

Dip in Temperatures and Dust Storms

• The inversion height is dropped when the temperature drops, which increases the number of contaminants in the air.
• Pollutants cannot spread into the upper layer of the atmosphere above the inversion height.
• The already bad situation is made worse by dust storms from the Gulf. Since there are few wet days between October and June, the region is characterized by dry, cold weather, which makes dust a common sight.
• About 56 percent of the PM10 and PM2.5 burden is caused by dust pollution.

Reduced Wind Speed

• High-speed winds are excellent at dispersing pollutants, but because of a general decrease in wind speed from summer to winter, the area is more susceptible to pollution.
• Delhi is also a landlocked area, thus it lacks the benefit of the sea wind that the eastern, western, or southern portions of the country enjoy, which disperses the concentrated pollution.

Air Pollution in Delhi - Effects

• Human health is negatively impacted by air pollution. It has been proven to contribute to low birth weight in children, as well as cataracts, nasopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinoma, TB, asthma, and ischemic heart disease.
• According to several studies, air pollution can hinder the development of the brain.
• Around 600,000 children under five die from illnesses and disorders each year, and air pollution is linked to these deaths.
• Numerous studies show that regions with greater levels of particle air pollution have a higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis symptoms.
• Every year, the impacts of indoor or outdoor air pollution claim the lives of up to 2.5 million people globally.
• Environment-harming effects of air pollution are also present. Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases, which are present in many pollutants.
• Carbon dioxide is released when fossil fuels are burned, and it has the most effect on global warming.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Effects of Air Pollution

Steps Taken to Reduce Delhi Air Pollution

Graded Response Action Plan

• The Graded Response Action Plan was made public by MoEFCC in 2017 in accordance with the Supreme Court's ruling in M. C. Mehta v. Union of India (2016) addressing the quality of the air in Delhi's National Capital Region.
• According to the degree of pollution, the GRAP is a set of immediate actions to be performed to minimize air pollution, including an odd-even car rationing scheme.
• It only functions as a last option.

Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Management Rules

• Regulations for the management of construction and demolition (C&D) waste have been made public by the government.
• All producers of C&D waste are required by law to separate their waste into the following four categories: concrete, soil, steel and wood, plastics, and bricks and mortar.
• They must then either deliver their separated waste to processing facilities or to collection centers set up by the local government.

CPCB Monitoring

• In the Delhi-NCR region, the CPCB has sent out 50 teams to conduct inspections.
• If any anti-pollution criteria are broken, inspection teams will visit the construction site and impose fines.

Red Light On, Gaadi Off Campaign

• The Delhi government has started the "Red Light On, Gaadi Off" campaign to combat air pollution.
• Volunteers holding placards asking commuters to turn off their cars' engines while the signal is red are part of this relatively new initiative.
• This has been one of the city government's most intriguing air pollution management projects.
• According to the government, turning off vehicle engines will save pollution and save each vehicle 7,000 per year.

National Clean Air Program

• The National Clean Air Program (NCAP), a five-year action plan to reduce air pollution, create an India-wide network for air quality monitoring, and raise public awareness, was introduced by the government in January 2019.
• The program focuses on developing city-specific action plans for 102 Indian cities where air quality standards are exceeded. By 2024, it seeks to cut PM2.5 levels by 20–30%. (compared to 2017 levels).
• The NCAP emphasizes the requirement for strong coordination and cross-sector cooperation among federal agencies, state governments, and local organizations.

Odd-Even Scheme

• The Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government implemented a traffic rationing plan known as the odd-even scheme.
• According to this initiative, private vehicles whose registration numbers terminate in an odd digit can drive on roads on odd dates, whereas those whose registration numbers end in an even digit can drive on even dates.
• Vehicles utilizing Delhi roads but with registration numbers obtained from other states would also be subject to the laws.

Anti-Smog Guns

• An anti-smog gun sprays water into the atmosphere to rid the air of all dust and other pollutants, thereby reducing air pollution.
• The gun is mounted to a water tank that is part of a mobile unit that can be moved around the city.

Smog Towers

• These massive air purifiers, which are often equipped with numerous layers of air filters, remove pollutants from the air as it flows through them.

Pusa Decomposer

• Scientists at PUSA's Indian Agricultural Research Institute have come up with a simple, practical, and affordable solution to the problem of burning straw and stubble.
• A remedy has been developed for spraying in fields to control agricultural residue decay. In the end, the residue is transformed into manure.

Banning Of Diesel Generators

• The Environment Pollution Authority has ordered the governments of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to outlaw diesel generators, with the exception of emergency and vital services.

Potential Banning of Construction

• Although it hasn't happened yet, the government has made it clear that it is possible for the national capital's pollution levels to keep rising.
• It would include shutting down all thermal energy facilities and businesses that use fuels other than PNG.

Way Forward

• Use of Happy Seeders: Using Happy Seeders allows farmers to plant wheat seeds while preserving the organic value of the stubble for the soil, eliminating the need to clean or burn it.
• ICMR Tech: The ICMR has created a solution that can be sprayed on agricultural wastes to transform them into manure. This method needs to be applied widely over the area.
• Commercialization of Paddy Straw: Since wheat straw is useful and farmers have discovered ways to use it, unlike paddy, the government should find ways to commercialize paddy straw.
• More Smog Towers: To lower the level of smog in the capital, more smog towers, and anti-smog weapons should be erected.
• Implementation of Legislations: Environment-related laws must be upheld in letter and spirit and put into practice. The implementation of the numerous environmental legislation that has been drafted has been exceedingly sluggish.

Conclusion

In India, air pollution levels significantly decreased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic's restrictions on non-essential transportation during its early stages. In just 74 days, it assisted in achieving 95% of the National Clean Air Program targets for 2024 in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, as emissions from the transportation, construction, and industrial sectors almost came to a complete stop and those from power plants were significantly reduced. But air pollution is a continuing issue that needs long-term, comprehensive solutions; it is not a one-time, short-term emergency. If the lockdown taught us anything, it's that India can drastically reduce air pollution levels by putting its energy into a green recovery model that produces fewer emissions.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi?

A) Solar energy
B) Crop burning
C) Wind energy
D) Hydroelectric power

2. What is the purpose of the Odd-Even vehicle rationing scheme?

A) To reduce traffic congestion
B) To promote electric vehicles
C) To decrease air pollution
D) To increase public transport usage

3. Which of the following measures is NOT part of the Delhi government's efforts to combat air pollution?

A) Increasing public transportation
B) Promoting the use of diesel generators
C) Installing smog towers
D) Implementing stricter emissions standards

4. What is a significant long-term strategy for improving air quality in Delhi?

A) Encouraging the use of personal vehicles
B) Increasing green cover
C) Expanding coal power plants
D) Reducing public awareness campaigns

5. How can public awareness contribute to reducing air pollution?

A) By encouraging vehicle use
B) By promoting eco-friendly practices
C) By ignoring pollution sources
D) By increasing industrial emissions

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the effectiveness of the measures taken by the Delhi government to reduce air pollution.

Answer: The Delhi government has implemented several measures to combat air pollution, including the Odd-Even vehicle rationing scheme, enhanced public transportation, and stricter emissions regulations. The effectiveness of these measures, however, varies. The Odd-Even scheme temporarily reduces vehicle numbers on the road, contributing to lower emissions during its implementation. However, its long-term effectiveness is debated, as pollution levels often spike again post-implementation. The promotion of public transport has shown promise in reducing reliance on personal vehicles, but challenges remain in terms of infrastructure and service quality. Stricter emissions standards for industries are crucial for long-term air quality improvement, but enforcement remains a challenge. Overall, while these measures are steps in the right direction, a comprehensive and sustained approach is necessary to achieve significant and lasting reductions in air pollution levels in Delhi.

Q2: Discuss the role of technology in monitoring and managing air quality in urban environments like Delhi.

Answer: Technology plays a vital role in monitoring and managing air quality in urban environments like Delhi. Advanced air quality monitoring systems use real-time data to measure pollutant levels across different locations, enabling authorities to respond swiftly to changes in air quality. Data analytics tools help in identifying pollution sources, assessing the effectiveness of implemented measures, and predicting pollution trends. Additionally, public awareness apps and platforms allow citizens to access air quality information, encouraging them to make informed decisions about their activities. The integration of smart technologies in traffic management can also optimize vehicle flow, reducing congestion and emissions. Overall, leveraging technology is essential for effective air quality management, ensuring that measures taken are data-driven and responsive to current conditions.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of urbanization on air quality in Delhi and suggest sustainable solutions.

Answer: Urbanization significantly impacts air quality in Delhi, contributing to increased vehicular emissions, construction dust, and industrial pollutants. The rapid growth of population and infrastructure has led to a higher demand for transportation and energy, exacerbating pollution levels. Sustainable solutions to mitigate this impact include promoting public transport and non-motorized transport options, such as cycling and walking. Implementing green building standards can help reduce emissions from construction activities. Additionally, expanding urban green spaces can improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and providing shade. Policies that encourage the use of clean energy sources for transportation and industry are also crucial. Engaging communities in sustainability initiatives and raising awareness about the importance of reducing emissions can foster a culture of environmental responsibility and contribute to improving air quality in the long run.

Previous Year Questions on Air Pollution in Delhi

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: What is one of the major reasons for the high levels of air pollution in Delhi?

A) Dense tree cover
B) Industrial emissions
C) Low population density
D) High levels of rainfall

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Industrial emissions are one of the major contributors to high levels of air pollution in Delhi, alongside vehicular emissions and construction activities.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 3):

Question: "Examine the measures taken by the government to address air pollution in Delhi."

Answer: The government has implemented several measures to address air pollution in Delhi, such as the Odd-Even vehicle scheme, promoting electric vehicles, improving public transportation infrastructure, and enhancing regulatory frameworks for industrial emissions. However, the challenges of enforcement, public compliance, and the need for long-term sustainable solutions remain. It is essential to adopt an integrated approach that combines immediate actions with long-term strategies, including awareness campaigns and community involvement, to create a more effective response to the persistent issue of air pollution.