DELHI AIR

POLLUTION
 Introduction
• Air Pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has been in the
public eye since the mid-2010s. Delhi/NCR experiences high air pollution for
most part of the year, especially during winters when episodes of extreme air
pollution are witnessed. The condition worsens due to adverse meteorological
conditions such as low wind speeds (typical of winter season), which have
adverse health outcomes, such as increased respiratory disorders and cardio-
vascular problems.
• Delhi lies in landlocked Indo-Gangetic region which does not have a
geographical advantage that eastern, western or southern parts of the country
enjoy. There is no sea breeze to disperse the concentrated pollutants.
• Overpopulation and the ensuing overuse of scarce resources such as
water put heavy pressure on the environment. The city suffers from air
pollution caused by road dust and industry, with comparatively smaller
contributions from unclean engines in transportation, especially diesel-
powered city buses and trucks, and 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers with two-
stroke engines.
• As many as 10,000 people a year may die prematurely in Delhi
as a result of air pollution.
• The 1997 White Paper sponsored by the Ministry of Environment
and Forests already proposed various measures to bring down
pollution caused by traffic, including smoothing the flow of traffic
with parking regulations and bringing down total traffic by
mandatory limits on driving.
• City authorities claim to have had some success in bringing down
air pollution; for instance, during the bidding process for the 2014
Asian Games, the city's organizing committee had claimed
that "pollution levels had come down drastically in Delhi with the
arrival of Metro rail as well as all public transport vehicle being run
compulsorily on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).”
• For traffic related sources, growth in vehicle numbers and mileage
seems to outpace efforts to reduce emissions. Contrary to popular
belief, most of the air pollution in Delhi is not due to vehicular
traffic.
• Main contributors to particulate matter in the PM10 range, as a recent
study shows, are road dust (50%) and industry (23%)--vehicles
accounted for only 7%. Among industrial contributors, power plants
within city limits were the main culprits.
• Road dust and secondary particles emitted from various sources are the
primary contributors of pollution in the national capital, according to a
draft report by IIT Kanpur.
• While the pollutants are almost similar in both summer and winter,
sources said vehicles are the major contributors to pollution during
winter. During winter, one of the major pollutants is not dust but from
secondary particles, which are especially emitted by vehicles.
• The main contributors for PM 10 and PM 2.5 during winter are trucks
and two-wheelers.
• Other sources of pollution during winter include secondary
particles (25-30 per cent), vehicles (20-25 per cent), biomass
burning (17-26 per cent), MSW burning (9-8 per cent) and to a
lesser extent soil and road dust. In winters, major sources for
PM 10 and PM2.5 are generally the same.
• According to the report, the four top contributors of PM 10 during
summer are road dust, concrete batching plants, industrial point
sources and vehicles.
• The top four contributors for PM 2.5 are dust, vehicles, domestic fuel
burning and industrial pollution. Other sources of pollution in
summer include coal and fly ash (37-26 per cent), road dust
(26-27 per cent), secondary particles (10-15per cent), biomass
burning (7-12 per cent), vehicles (6-9 per cent) and MSW burning (8-7
per cent).
• Delhi has witnessed severe air pollution as far as PM 10, PM 2.5 and
nitrogen oxides in ambient air are concerned. These do not pollute in
solitude but carry other pollutants.
Contributions of emission sources in and around Delhi
to PM2.5 pollutions in Delhi's ambient air
SOURCES
 Some facts…
• Centre for Science and Environment in its report “At the crossroad” has
said that Life expectancy in India has gone down by 2.6 years.
• A report (2018) released by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy
Institute, titled “Introducing the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI)” said, if air
pollution levels in the capital adhered to World Health Organization (WHO)
standards, a typical Delhi person would live 10 years longer.
• Twenty-two of the world’s 30 worst cities for air pollution are in India,
according to a report (Greenpeace and AirVisual analysis March, 2019),
with Delhi again ranked the world’s most polluted capital with AQI of 463.
• The Greenpeace and AirVisual analysis of air pollution readings from 3,000
cities around the world found that 64% exceed the World Health
Organization’s annual exposure guideline for PM2.5 fine particulate matter
– tiny airborne particles, about a 40th of the width of a human hair, that are
linked to a wide range of health problems.
 Measures adopted to
improve the air quality of
Delhi (Source: CPCB,
2016)
RECENT INITIATIVES

Odd even scheme

An initiative (on trial basis) has been taken by Govt. of NCT of Delhi to
curb the air pollution by applying ‘Odd-even scheme’ on the 4-wheelers
plying on the roads (exempting a few) from Jan. 1st – 15th and Apr. 15th
– 30th, 2016. The scheme proposed to run the vehicles as per their
registration numbers on alternate days. Vehicles having registration
number ending with an odd digit were allowed to run on the odd dates
and vice-versa. The ultimate aim of the scheme was to reduce the
number of vehicles from the roads of Delhi.
To assess the effect of this scheme on the air quality of Delhi, an
analysis was done using the data collected by CPCB from 8 operational
AQMS and 7 manual stations of CPCB. The pollutants studied include
PM10, PM2.5, SO2, benzene, O3, NO2, and CO.
The study revealed that during the odd-even period, there was marked
increase in the pollutants concentration as compared to ‘pre – odd
even period’, for e.g. there can be seen 13-39% rise in PM10
concentration, 52-70% rise in PM2.5, and 37-80% rise in
NO2concentration. Other pollutants were also found to be increasing.
No definite reason could be determined for this, however, unclear
trend and wide fluctuations of air pollutants can be attributed to the
meteorological factors and emissions from pollution sources other than
transportation. Moreover, the odd-even scheme effect might also be
diluted due to coverage of very few vehicles under this scheme.
 Court directions

A number of directions under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)

Act, 1981 regarding prevention, control or abatement of air pollution and
improvement of ambient air quality in Delhi and National Capital Region
(NCR) were issued to U.P. Pollution Control Board, Haryana Pollution
Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, and Jhalana
Institutional Area, Jaipur, Rajasthan on Dec. 29th, 2015.
The directions included various significant issues such as control of
vehicular emission, control of road dust and other fugitive emission,
control of air pollution from biomass burning, control of industrial air
pollution, control of air pollution from construction and demolition
activities, etc.
A control room has been set up in CPCB to facilitate review of levels of
air pollution and monitoring ambient air quality in Delhi and National
Capital Region (NCR).
Prohibition on entry of overloaded and non-destined trucks in Delhi and
imposition of ‘Green Tax’.
The Delhi Government has launched car-free day campaign ‘Ab Bus
Karein’ since 22nd October 2015 to be observed on 22nd day of every
month.
 Air Quality Index (AQI)

To reduce the health impacts of the pollutants, dissemination of the

information related to air quality is also equally important so that the
preventive measures can be adopted. In view of this, CPCB and the
Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF & CC)
initiated the project on national Air Quality Index (AQI) to strengthen
air quality information dissemination system for larger public
awareness and their participation on air quality management.
The index was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April
2015 starting with 14 cities. At present, AQI is determined at 23
locations across the country, including Delhi, Faridabad, and Gurgaon.
For the on-line continuous (24x7) air pollution monitoring, out of 2800
major industries, 920 industries have installed the devices; and others
are in process of installation.
 Air Quality Index

AQI, is the ‘One Number- One Colour-One Description’ for the common
man to judge the air quality within his vicinity. The formulation of the index
was a continuation of the initiatives under Swachh Bharat Mission
envisioned by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately
polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. 
• The proposed AQI will consider eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2,
CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) for which short-term (up to 24-hourly averaging
period) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.
• Based on the measured ambient concentrations, corresponding
standards and likely health impact, a sub-index is calculated for each of
these pollutants. The worst sub-index reflects overall AQI.
• Associated likely health impacts for different AQI categories and
pollutants have been also been suggested, with primary inputs from the
medical expert members of the group.
 Formation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

It is an emergency plan prepared by the union Ministry of

Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC) to contain
worsening air quality of Delhi-NCR.
It was prepared after the order of Supreme Court of December 2016.
It includes the measures to prevent worsening of Air Quality of Delhi-
NCR (National Capital Region) and prevent PM10 and PM2.5 levels
to go beyond ‘moderate’ national Air Quality Index (AQI) category.
Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) is
mandated to enforce the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in
the city as per the pollution levels.
EPCA is Supreme Court mandated body tasked with taking various
measures to tackle air pollution in the National Capital Region.
It was notified in 1998 by Environment Ministry under Environment
Protection Act, 1986.
 How does GRAP function?
The plan is incremental in
nature. So, it does not
include action by various
state governments to be
taken throughout the year to
tackle emissions.
Rather, when the air quality
shifts from poor to very poor,
the measures listed have to
be followed. If air quality
reaches the severe stage,
GRAP talks about shutting
down schools and
implementing the odd-even
road-space rationing
scheme.
The plan requires action and
coordination among different
agencies in Delhi, Uttar
Pradesh, Haryana and
Rajasthan (NCR areas)
OTHER INITIATIVES

Stringent provision for ash content in coal for thermal power plants.
Stringent industrial emission standards formulated
Construction of Eastern and Western Expressways for by-passing non-
destined traffic to Delhi.
Regular co-ordination meetings to discuss air pollution control in NCR
adopting air-shed approach (entire region to be covered where pollutants
disperse due to meteorological and geographical factors) .
Revision of rules for handling and management of municipal waste.
Revision of rules pertaining to construction and demolition waste.
Ban on burning of leaves/ biomass in Delhi.
Fuel quality standards (Bharat Stage – I, II, III, and IV) are introduced.
Pollution under control (PUC) certificate with three month validity is
introduced.
Introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) for commercial vehicles
phased out from 1998.
Metro rail transit system for rapid mass transport is introduced.
Construction of fly-over and sub-ways for smooth flow of traffic.
Time clocks installations at red lights.
Route diversion of inter-state buses.
Benzene (a carcinogen) in gasoline reduced from 5% (April 1996) to 1%
(November 2000).
Sulphur content in diesel reduced from 0.5% (April 1996) to 0.05% in
April 2000.
Restrictions imposed in operation of goods vehicles during day time from
August 1999.
Unleaded petrol introduced in NCR in September 1998.
Catalytic converter in passenger cars introduced in April 1995.
 Recommendations/suggestions to improve the air quality of Delhi

Even after taking a number of initiatives, the pollution in Delhi is rising to a

great extent. To tackle the problems and to reduce health risks generated
due to air pollution, immediate steps need to be taken. Therefore, following
issues need to be judiciously addressed at the earliest.
For the development of the country, establishment of new industrial units
cannot be downgraded; however, effective control measures of pollution,
and proper installation of air pollution control devices and their smooth
functioning must be ensured before the establishment of any industry. After
the establishment of industry, proper functioning of the installed controlling
units must also be ensured.
Emission from construction industries / activities can be minimized by
adopting best practices such as; use of water sprays for dust suppression,
creating ridges to prevent dust, compaction of disturbed soil, prevention of
dumping of earth materials along road side etc.
Restrictions may be imposed over the number of vehicles owned by an/a
individual/family.
Fines should be imposed for the parking of vehicles on the roads.
Provision of parking space in any commercial establishment/shopping
mall/parks/residential apartments should be mandatory.
There should be strict restrictions on old polluting vehicles and subsidies
may be given on the vehicles running on cleaner fuels.
There should be strict checking of PUC certificates.
There should be uniformity in the fuel quality standards used across the
country.
There should be more space for pedestrians and two wheeler vehicles on
the roads.
Up-gradation of public transport is necessary by improving service quality,
enhancing the number of buses, and better road management.
Improvement in traffic signal co-ordination for continuous traffic flow to
reduce traffic jam and idling time can also help to minimize pollution.
Corporate firms/ government offices may draw up an action plan to have
bus/cab service for their employees with reasonable rates.
Idea of working in different shifts for corporate firms/ government offices to
minimize traffic at peak hours can be introduced.
Strict rules should be imposed for proper dumping and disposal of
solid waste, since unregulated burning results in pile-up of smoke and
particulate matter in concentrated form at one place. Regular
functioning of all the installed solid waste treatment facilities must also
be ensured.
Vegetation cover should be increased along the highways, road
dividers, and busy traffic intersection points.
Mass awareness should be increased through electronic and print
media for all age groups towards sustaining the environment and to
reduce pollution. Public should also be motivated for the use of public
transport.
Research and development for the battery-run buses/cars etc. needs
to be promoted.