Research Paper: Curbing Air Pollution in Delhi

Understanding Air Pollution in Delhi: Causes and Consequences

INTRO

Air pollution has become a major concern in Delhi, the capital city of India,
with severe consequences on public health and the overall environment.
Unprecedented industrial development and urbanization, coupled with a
growing population, have contributed to the rising levels of air pollution in
Delhi (Heck & Hirschberg, 2011)1.

Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful or excessive quantities of

substances in the air, which can be detrimental to human health, the
environment, or both. These substances, known as pollutants, can include
particulate matter (such as PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur
dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), and heavy metals like lead and mercury.

Year after year the increasing air pollution in the months of October and
November is proving to be life threatening for people. In Delhi, air pollution is a
significant problem that poses serious health risks to its residents. Several
factors contribute to air pollution in Delhi, including vehicular emissions,
industrial activities, construction dust, agricultural burning, and the burning of
biomass for cooking and heating. Another cause is the PM present in air. PM is
known as particulate matter which refers to microscopic particles formed from
solid or liquid matter that remain suspended in the air.
CAUSES
Industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, construction activities, and burning of
agricultural waste are some of the key sources of air pollution in the city. The
rapid industrial development in Delhi has resulted in increased emissions of
pollutants into the atmosphere. These pollutants include particulate matter,
sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds. The high
volume of vehicles on the roads of Delhi is another significant contributor to air
pollution. The exhaust fumes from cars and other vehicles release harmful
pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter
into the air. In a recent collaboration between the Delhi government and IIT-
Kanpur, findings revealed that, vehicular emissions contributed to
approximately 38% of the capital's air pollution. Construction activities in Delhi
also play a role in air pollution. Dust and particulate matter generated from

1
China: Economic Impacts of Air Pollution in the Country
Heck, Hirschberg 2011
https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-444-52272-6.00415-3
construction sites contribute to the overall pollution levels in the city.
Additionally, the burning of agricultural waste, especially during the winter
months, further exacerbates the air pollution problem in Delhi.
## Consequences of Air Pollution in Delhi The consequences of air pollution in
Delhi are far-reaching and have severe impacts on public health and the
environment. The high levels of air pollution in Delhi have been linked to a
wide range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular
problems, and lung cancer. WHO estimates that an average Indian can lose 5.3
years due to air pollution and people in Delhi can lose as much as 11.9 years.
Exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause or exacerbate respiratory
issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections. The polluted
smog that you breathe in affects you the most here in your lungs particulate
matter which has a popular short form of PM can inflame your lungs it is going
to start with severe coughing wheezing and breathlessness a long-term exposure
can lead to Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. In addition to the health impacts, air pollution in Delhi also
has adverse effects on the environment (Li et al., 2018)2. Air pollution also imposes
significant economic costs on society, including healthcare expenses associated
with treating pollution-related illnesses, lost productivity due to illness or
premature death, and costs related to environmental damage.

# Proposed Measures to Address Air Pollution in Delhi

Furthermore, addressing the issue of vehicular emissions is crucial in curbing

air pollution in Delhi. This can be achieved through the promotion of electric
vehicles, the implementation of stricter emission norms for vehicles, and the
improvement of public transportation infrastructure to encourage the use of
mass transit systems. Efforts to address air pollution in Delhi include measures
such as improving public transportation, promoting the use of cleaner fuels,
implementing stricter emissions standards for vehicles and industries, increasing
green spaces, and promoting renewable energy sources. However, combating air
pollution requires coordinated efforts at the local, national, and international
levels to effectively reduce emissions and protect public health.

Stubble burning, a common practice in the agricultural areas surrounding Delhi,

contributes significantly to air pollution in the region. There are several
alternatives to stubble burning that can help mitigate its impact on air quality.
One alternative is to incentivize farmers to adopt conservation agriculture
practices such as no-till farming, crop rotation, and the use of cover crops.

2
Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5): The culprit for chronic lung diseases in China
Li, Hu, Chen, Li, Huang, Zhu, Zhou 2018 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdtm.2018.07.002
These practices not only help in managing crop residues without burning but
also contribute to soil health and fertility.

Another alternative is the adoption of machinery and equipment for managing

crop residues effectively, such as straw balers and choppers. These technologies
help in collecting and mulching the crop residues, preventing the need for
burning. Additionally, the promotion of alternative uses for crop residues, such
as animal fodder, biofuel production, and composting, can reduce the incentive
for farmers to resort to burning. Collaboration with agricultural research
institutions and extension services can also enable farmers to access and adopt
these alternatives effectively. Incentivizing the sale of fodder from paddy
harvest, using flexible sowing dates for paddy, using paddy varieties with
shorter cycles for harvesting are some economical options available.
Additionally, measures to control open burning of agricultural waste should be
implemented, including strict penalties for those who violate the ban on
burning.

The solution to crop residue burning lies in the effective implementation of

sustainable management practices with Government interventions and policies.
This manuscript addresses the underlying technical as well as policy issues that
has prevented India from achieving a long-lasting solution and also potential
solutions that have been overlooked. By implementing these alternatives to
stubble burning, the agricultural community can contribute to reducing air
pollution in Delhi while also promoting sustainable farming practices.
Moreover, promoting sustainable waste management practices, such as
recycling and composting, can help reduce the release of pollutants into the air.

Now to monitor this and provide such alternatives to the farmers is the task at
hand for the administrative department. The department of agriculture and
farmers welfare should realise and ensure to educate the farmers on the harmful
causes of stubble burning and provide them with enough equipment’s to switch
to alternative methods otherwise incentivise the making of biofuel or
composting. Since it is better to invest in precautionary methods than to spend
more on the dire consequences it could have on the people’s health the funding
needs to be adequately managed and resourced.

The central government has to ensure there is a consensus between the states
around Delhi like Punjab, Haryana, UP where these agricultural practices affect
the environment. Yes Delhi cannot keep blaming the neighbouring states
entirely for the problem and needs to take immediate and effective action but
Delhi government is limited only to the territory of Delhi, hence the central
board
 1) What are the key challenges and shortcomings in the current
administrative approaches to controlling pollution in Delhi, and how
have these limitations impacted the overall success of pollution
control efforts?

In Delhi, various measures have been implemented to mitigate air pollution

crisis, including the implementation of odd-even vehicle rationing schemes,
the introduction of cleaner fuel standards, the promotion of public
transportation, and the establishment of air quality monitoring networks.
Additionally, efforts have been made to address sources of pollution such as
industrial emissions, construction activities, and agricultural burning.
However, sustained efforts and collaboration across sectors and levels of
government are necessary to achieve significant and lasting improvements in
air quality. Beijing has turned around its pollution graphs. What was once
the world’s number 1 most polluted city, has now come down to the 122nd
most polluted city in the world.

This rapid assessment identified human and institutional capacity limitations at

both the central and state levels. The human resources structure in most SPCBs
is heavily dominated by non-technical staff. Among the professionals, there are
mostly engineers, with very few legal or policy experts. Often SPCBs hire
contract employees (e.g., in Manipur, Sikkim, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh) who do
not get standard civil service benefits and, therefore, have low work motivation.
Part of the reason for such severe staff shortages is that the Central Government
has not laid down any norms for determining the staffing structure of the State
Boards in terms of the share of technical staff or the coverage of pollution units.
The pay scales for PCB staff also vary greatly across the states. While financial
resources are often a constraint in filling the vacancies.3

The CPCB has recently drafted Guidelines for Management of Consent and
Authorization which try to streamline the permitting process across the states
and stipulate consent validity periods for different categories of industry (red,
orange or green) based on their potential environmental impact. Currently, each
state sets its own rules, and consent validity periods vary between one or two
years for highly polluting industries to 15 years for SMEs.

Monitoring and inspection are a key function of SPCBs. The frequency of on-
site visits to verify compliance is determined by the pollution potential
(red/orange/green) and size (based on the value of capital investment) of the
industry. The CPCB provides guidance on the frequency of regular inspections.

3
“Research Paper on Role of Administration in Vehicular Air Pollution of Delhi NCR” (2023) Boletin de
Literatura Oral - The Literary Journal, 10(1), pp. 309–319. Available at:
https://www.boletindeliteraturaoral.com/index.php/bdlo/article/view/123 (Accessed: 10 March 2024).
However, individual states seem to have differing interpretation of the guidance
and did not regard it as binding.

SPCBs also receive administrative directions and some funding from their state
governments. This dual line of command with the CPCB can create problems,
since at times the CPCB’s proposed actions are not effectively implemented due
to a state government’s inaction or indifference.

There are no standard inspection and sampling procedures prescribed either in

the Water Act, Air Act or EPA, or their regulations, and the CPCB and SPCBs
have not issued uniform guidelines. As a result, boards develop and apply their
own approaches and methods, which is an inefficient way to use limited agency
resources. For example, the deficiency of the sampling procedure is quoted as
one of the main reasons why courts often rule against the government.

The lack of nationwide implementing guidance on permitting and compliance

monitoring from the CPCB on such issues as definition of compliance, consent
conditions, reporting format, sampling requirements, as well as interpretation of
different regulations significantly impairs the quality of SPCB implementing
programs and limits the exchange of experiences between the states.

• Over-emphasis of permitting, monitoring and inspection activities on industry

in general and large industry in particular limits SPCB regulatory programs to
an important but not dominant pollution source, while the significant
cumulative pollution impacts from SMEs (contributing roughly 70 percent of
the industrial pollution load), municipal sources, transport and agriculture are
virtually disregarded.

• SPCB staff spend a disproportionately high amount of time on issuing

consents (whose validity periods are often unjustifiably short) at the expense of
their compliance monitoring and enforcement responsibilities.

Many urban areas in developing nations and emerging economies grapple with
elevated air pollution levels. Policymakers strive to devise solutions that
effectively address environmental and public health concerns while gaining
political acceptability among the general populace. As always, the poor are the
worst affected. They are more likely to have jobs that involve more time in
polluted open environments that, therefore, require breathing foul air; they are
more likely to use public transport systems (buses, cycling and walking) that
expose them to contaminated atmosphere; they will probably live in homes that
are more exposed to the outside air and in more congested areas that are anyway
more polluted. And, of course, when they suffer from illnesses as a result, they
are less likely to be able to access good quality medical care or the medicines
that will allow them to live with the associated morbidity with some ease.
Given the severity of the air pollution problem in Delhi, it is imperative to
implement measures to address this pressing issue. One of the key strategies is
to focus on reducing industrial emissions through the enforcement of strict
pollution control measures and the use of cleaner technologies. This can be
achieved through the implementation of stringent emission standards and
regular monitoring of industrial facilities to ensure compliance.

Furthermore, addressing the issue of vehicular emissions is crucial in curbing

air pollution in Delhi. This can be achieved through the promotion of electric
vehicles, the implementation of stricter emission norms for vehicles, and the
improvement of public transportation infrastructure to encourage the use of
mass transit systems. However, combating air pollution requires coordinated
efforts at the local, national, administrative levels to effectively reduce
emissions and protect public health.

Unfortunately, the entire thrust of urban planning across the country is actually
to push more people into using private vehicles rather than developing public
transport or making it possible to walk or cycle. The inadequate provision for
public transport in any case forces greater dependence upon private vehicles.
Most cities and towns have developed road systems that are not just unfriendly
to pedestrians but frequently extremely dangerous and sometimes near
impossible to traverse on foot. The use of bicycles, too, is both fraught and
hazardous given the nature of other traffic on roads and the lack of dedicated
lanes for cyclists.

The Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act of 1981 4is an innovative
legislation which lets the State regulate the standard for emission of air
pollutants. The Act empowers the State to inspect any factory and check any
control equipment and manufacturing process. It further allows the State to take
necessary steps for the control of air pollution. No industry can operate without
meeting the requirements mentioned in this act.

"In order to ensure the effective implementation of the specified functions

and without prejudice to their general scope, it is imperative that the law
use the word “shall” instead of “may” like it is now.

 It may help combat air pollution through a mass media programme.

4
https://cpcb.nic.in/displaypdf.php?id=aG9tZS9haXItcG9sbHV0aW9uL0dTUi03MTJFLnBkZg==
  It may collect, compile and publish statistical data relating to air
pollution and may also prepare manuals, codes or guides relating to
measures to combat air pollution.
 It may lay down standards for the quality of air and shall perform other
functions as prescribed.

THE ACT FOR STATE GOVT ON THE OTHER HAND HAS USED
THE TERM SHALL WITH RPOVISIONS LIKE

 It shall inspect, at reasonable times, any control equipment, industrial

plant or manufacturing process and give orders to the people in charge to
further the purposes of combating air pollution.
 It shall inspect and assess the air quality at designated air pollution
control areas as it may think necessary.
 It shall lay down standards for the emission of air pollutants into the
atmosphere from automobiles or industries, or any other pollutant from
any source.

Now the issue in Delhi is if the state regulatory board blames the stubble
burning in neighbouring states, they don’t have jurisdiction to rectify that
so it is the central board’s duty to come in and take action to see that there
is a consensus and effort from all the state govts to ensure effective
implementation of the laws and mitigate the pollution crisis.

the Delhi government has formed a Special Task Force (STF) to enforce
regulations and assist in monitoring pollution, keeping in view of the current
situation of air pollution, The six-member Special Task Force will work under
the leadership of Special Secretary Environment. But how much have they
contributed is unknown. The burden again falls on the citizens to enquire by
filing RTIs to see the reports and results of such task forces.

2) What role do regulatory bodies, such as the Central Pollution

Control Board (CPCB) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee
(DPCC), play in enforcing administrative measures to control
pollution in Delhi, and how effective have their interventions been?

The primary institutions responsible for the formulation and enforcement of

environmental acts and rules include the Ministry of Environment and Forests
(MOEF), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Departments of
Environment, State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Municipal
Corporations.
Central Pollution Control Board. Under MOEF, the Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) is the national board with oversight powers over state boards.
The CPCB has a central office as well as a network of zonal offices located in
New Delhi, Calcutta, Shillong, Kanpur, Bangalore and Vadodara. Established in
1977 under the Water Act, the CPCB has wide ranging powers and
responsibilities to:g

• advise the central government on any matter related to prevention and control
of water and air pollution and improvement of air quality;

• plan nationwide programs for the prevention, control and abatement of water
and air pollution;

• coordinate the activities of SPCBs and resolve disputes among them;

• provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards,

• carry out and sponsor investigations and research relating to problems of water
and air pollution and for their prevention, control and abatement;

• prosecute polluting industries pursuant to the Water Act;

• collect, compile and publish technical data on air and water pollution and
measures recommended for their prevention, control and abatement;

• organize training of staff engaged in environmental programs;

• prepare manuals, codes and guidelines relating to industrial emissions and

effluents;

• organize mass media awareness programs on environmental protection;

Regulatory bodies play a role in enforcing administrative measures to control

pollution in Delhi by: disseminate information on water and air pollution and
their prevention and control; and

• perform such other functions as prescribed by the central government.

The total number of employees in the CPCB is approximately 500, 100 of

which have technical training. The CPCB has approximately 60 inspectors
nationwide.
 Implementing environmental and pollution control laws
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) acts as a regulatory body
for implementing environmental and pollution control laws.

The functions of DPCC includes5:

 Assess the quality of ambient water and air, and inspect wastewater
treatment installations, air pollution control equipment, industrial plants
or manufacturing process to evaluate their performance and to take steps
for the prevention, control and abatement of air and water pollution.
 Issuance of the Consent Certificate to the Industries falling in conforming
areas under Green and Orange Categories
 SPCBs have primary enforcement authority in the states, while the CPCB
performs the same functions for union territories. The SPCBs have
further delegated some enforcement responsibilities to their regional and
sub-regional offices. The CPCB’s role is to provide technical assistance
and guidance to the SPCBs and to coordinate activities among the states.
In addition, the CPCB exercises general oversight and, if a State Board
fails to comply with a CPCB direction, may temporarily assume SPCB
functions.

The challenge lies in the execution of pollution control measures due to

insufficient coordination between the central and state authorities. Additionally,
lax regulations enable the unchecked establishment of new industries in the
name of development. Delhi is a small city pocket in the centre of the country,
the polluted air has no way to escape and gets accumulated as the outskirts are
filled with industries and dump yards. It is a must to make reports and annual
checks on the industries allowed to be established to ensure they adhere to the
environmental laws and guidelines. And before giving permission to establish
one, a thorough analysis on its impact on the environment needs to be strictly
assessed. The benefits cannot outweigh the long-term implications of the
depleting environment, air, water and health conditions of the citizens.

3) How can the administrative branch play a vital role in combatting

the issue rather than the judicial or legislative branch of
government?

The administrative branch of the government works closest with the people.
They implement the laws made by the legislature. As we know, multiple
5
https://www.dpcc.delhigovt.nic.in/functions#gsc.tab=0
sources contribute to the problem, no single measure can be the answer. Sector-
specific strategies are required to control air pollution, which is driven by rapid
urbanisation, transportation, industrialisation, power generation and agricultural
activities. This can be managed only by the administration

Key Challenge The lack of civil administrative authority (particularly, to

impose administrative fines) limits the effectiveness of PCBs’ enforcement
efforts and leads to over-reliance on the judiciary for enforcement. Filing
criminal cases against violators in trial courts or reacting to PILs is a time-
consuming, unpredictable and ineffective enforcement mechanism.

While pollution control boards may close an offending facility or order the
withdrawal of its power or water supply, it may only impose penalties by filing
cases under the Water and Air Acts and the EPA, which may include fines
and/or imprisonment. Pursuing cases through trial and appellate courts,
however, has proven to be an ineffective enforcement response, since courts are
overburdened, procedures are cumbersome, and resources of state boards are
overstretched. Legal limitations on the use of self-monitoring data as evidence
in court and other proceedings puts an additional monitoring burden on SPCBs
and serve as a disincentive for industry to conduct accurate self-monitoring and
reporting.

Principles like Polluter Pays Principle and precautionary principles are a great
method to follow : The formulation of certain principles to develop a better
regime for protecting the environment is a remarkable achievement of judicial
review in India. According to the Polluter Pays Principle, the polluter is
accountable for repaying and repairing the harm brought by his/her activities.
The polluter has an absolute liability of hazardous and inherently dangerous
objects brought by them, and this sets a high water mark of the development of
this principle. Despite its deterrence impact, it is limited in the sense that it can
be applied only at the remedial stage i.e. after pollution has taken place.

Precautionary Principle

The Precautionary Principle rests upon the preventive aspect of environmental

law. The discharge of pollutants, which are potentially harmful, must be
controlled, even in the absence of specific data concerning it. It involves
apprehension of environmental harm and taking up of effective measures to avoid
it or choosing the less environmentally harmful activity.[6] The Preventive
Principle rests on the maxim, ‘prevention is better than cure.’ Complete
prevention of environmental pollution is not possible; if any industry is
responsible for river pollution, the chances of restoring the prior condition is
impossible. Pollution should, therefore, be controlled at primary level.
The CPCB report highlighted a significant spike in air pollution levels during
Deepavali, attributed to fireworks, reaching up to four to five times the usual
levels. The court viewed the unrestricted trade and availability of fireworks
during such occasions as a violation of citizens' rights under the Constitution,
especially when the Air Quality Index in the NCR reached severe levels.
Prioritizing citizen welfare over commercial interests, the court emphasized the
need to take precautionary measures applying the precautionary principle to
prevent environmental harm, even without absolute scientific certainty about the
outcomes.

The Delhi High Court said that specific legislation and statutory rules that were
in place to ensure that ambient air quality was maintained were not being
followed. The Delhi High Court observed an "emergency nature" of pollution
in the national capital, criticizing non-compliance with environmental
legislation including the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, the Air
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the National Capital
Regional Planning Board Act, 1985. The Court demanded the Centre to outline
actions under the latter act regarding pollution in the NCR and to devise an
action plan for construction-related environmental degradation. It noted non-
effective enforcement by the Government of the National Capital Territory of
Delhi and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, with pollution levels far
exceeding permissible limits. The court also instructed the State government
and the municipal corporations of Delhi to publicise through radio, television
and print media that burning of leaves, garbage, plastic and rubber in the open
was prohibited. Over the last twenty years, the Supreme Court of India and
some High Courts of the states have led the way in the enforcement of
environmental laws through citizen-led public interest litigation (PIL) that has
its legal basis in the constitutional right to a healthy environment. Through this
judicial activism, the courts have issued orders with specific implementation
requirements with widespread implications for the regulatory agencies.

But at the end of the day, all the court can do is ask the administration to do its
job, which is why effective policy implementation from the administration is
what will make an actual difference in the pollution levels rather than a judge’s
orders. Even in the case of Arjun Gopal and others 6 , the petitioners sought
relief from wide-ranging issues—from the use of fireworks (including
firecrackers), harmful burning of crops and dumping of malba (construction
material), and so on—besides demanding steps required for a cleaner
environment. However, the court chose to restrict its order to granting interim
relief only in the case of fireworks.

The modern technological state intensifies the conflict between environmental

values and developmental requirements. Legal strategies are necessary to
reconcile this conflict and to augment sustainable development. It is very
important that repercussions of projects at all levels be analyzed before execution.
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) examines these consequences and
predicts future changes in the environment. It guides administrative agencies to
balance conflicting social values and environmental quality. It helps them to
make the best choice among various available options. EIA foresees and avoids
potential dangers. Prevention is ecologically benign, and also economically
viable.

EIA may be classified into two categories viz, the mandatory model and the
discretionary model. In the mandatory model, public participation and judicial
review are integral parts of mandatory model making it an important tool in
protecting and managing the environment. Whereas, in the discretionary model,
public participation is not allowed as a matter of routine; it is an exercise
controlled and allowed by administrative expediency and requirement.

Pairing allowances with trans-parent revenue commitments can alleviate the

negative effects on policy support, echoing findings in carbon taxation policy.
Future research should explore the significance of revenue usage in the context
of vehicle usage, ownership, and air pollution. Additionally, experimental
designs can uncover the causal mechanisms behind varying levels of political
support for specific policy tools and combinations, shedding light on factors like
cost transparency and fairness concerns. 7

The ERP suggests strict enforcement of rules through heavy penalties on

agricultural waste-burning, using satellite-based tools and mobile-based
applications to detect fires; increasing tenfold the parking charges at all the
government parking spaces (except in hospitals and other similar places);
congestion pricing/odd-even scheme for all private vehicles; ban on the
entry/movement of vehicles older than 10 years (checks and penalties); vacuum
cleaning/watering of the roads; reduction in power plant emissions through

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https://www.livelaw.in/pdf_upload/arjun-gopal-firecracker-ban-order-403218.pdf
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https://www.boletindeliteraturaoral.com/index.php/bdlo/article/view/123/74
stoppage of power plants in Delhi and upwind in the NCR (for example, in
Panipat) and ensuring power from the central grids; stopping all major
construction activities; and issuing advisories wherein all buildings reduce
outdoor air intake through air conditioners.

Conclusion

Delhi, as the capital city of India, grapples with the alarming issue of air
pollution, consistently ranking as one of the most polluted cities globally.
Despite implementing various measures such as restrictions on construction
activities, regulating the entry of diesel trucks, and implementing the odd-even
rule for vehicles, pollution levels remain dangerously high, leading to pervasive
smog that shrouds the city on a daily basis. While the government has taken
steps to address this pressing concern, the efficacy of these measures in
significantly reducing pollution levels remains inadequate. The gravity of the
situation is underscored by medical experts who liken the inhalation of polluted
air in Delhi to the health risks associated with smoking approximately ten
cigarettes a day. Notwithstanding the efforts made by the administration,
concerns persist regarding the detrimental impact of pollution on public health.

The right to information act should be exercised by the citizens to hold the
administration accountable in case of any discrepancies on enforcement of the
environmental regulations and laws. Right to Information Act is designed to
promote greater transparency and accountability of the government and public
participation in decision-making.

There are laws and guidelines in place, it is the effective implementation by the
government that is required. How long will they blame farmers living in the
neighbouring states for their own inaction. If the government is willing, they
can put stringent measures on industries for sticking to environmental
guidelines, a mechanism in construction sites to ensure the absorption of dust
and debris, encouraging citizens to take up public transport or carpool and use
of electric vehicles, to plant more trees etc and implement the suggestions given
by a study of IIT, such as vacuum sweeping four times a month, prohibiting the
use of coal, and replacing three-wheelers and four-wheelers with electric and
hybrid technology vehicles.

In conclusion, these research recommendations aim to deepen our

understanding of policy design, public perception, and environmental
outcomes, ultimately guiding the development of more effective and
politically acceptable strategies for mitigating air pollution and safeguarding the
environment globally. Addressing the pervasive issue of air pollution in Delhi
requires concerted efforts from the administration. Despite implementing
measures such as construction bans, restrictions on diesel trucks, and the odd-
even rule, pollution levels remain dangerously high. The lack of coordination
between central and state authorities, coupled with lax regulations allowing
unchecked industrial expansion, hampers effective pollution control.. To curb
air pollution effectively, the administration must enhance coordination, enforce
stricter regulations on industrial activities, and prioritize citizen health through
proactive measures. Only through sustained commitment and decisive action
can Delhi hope to breathe cleaner air and safeguard public health for
generations to come.