The Alarming State of Pollution in India

2 Apr 2025

The Alarming State of Pollution in India

Air pollution in India is not a seasonal issue but a year-round health crisis, leading to increased respiratory diseases, school closures, and diminished urban visibility.

State of Air pollution 

  • Global Pollution Rankings: Indian cities frequently rank among the world’s most polluted, with hazardous levels of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants.
    • India is  ranked as the world’s fifth most polluted country , with Meghalaya’s Byrnihat being the most polluted metropolitan area globally, according to IQAir’s World Air Quality report 2024.
  • Limited Awareness and Action: Despite the severe impact, air pollution is often treated as an isolated problem rather than a structural and governance issue.

Government Initiatives and Interventions to Curb Air Pollution

  • National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Aims to reduce PM2.5 levels by 40% by 2026, focusing on city-specific air quality improvement plans.

Chinese Model of Pollution Control and Its Effectiveness

  • Massive Financial Investment: China invested ₹22 lakh crore over five years in urban pollution control, significantly higher than India’s budget.
  • Targeted Industrial Shutdowns: China aggressively closed coal plants and relocated polluting industries away from urban areas.
  • Strict Policy Enforcement: Heavy fines and regulatory frameworks ensured compliance, unlike India’s lenient enforcement mechanisms.
  • Rapid Air Quality Improvement: Major Chinese cities saw significant air quality improvements within a few years, demonstrating the effectiveness of a well-funded and centralized approach.

  • Bharat VI Emission Standards: Introduced stricter vehicle emission norms to reduce pollution from automobiles.
  • Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): Promotes clean cooking fuel (LPG) to reduce biomass burning in households.
  • Other Programs and Funding: Initiatives such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME II) and Swachh Bharat Mission contribute indirectly to air quality improvements.

Challenges with India’s Approach Towards Pollution

  • Fragmented and Slow Implementation: Despite multiple programs, lack of coordination among agencies hampers effective action.
  • Inadequate Funding and Resource Allocation: NCAP’s budget is significantly lower than required, and only 60% of the allocated funds were utilized between 2019 and 2023.
  • Over-reliance on High-Tech Solutions: Smog towers, AI dashboards, and advanced sensors are prioritized over fundamental pollution control measures like reducing biomass burning.
  • Limited Local Government Capacity: Municipal bodies operate with outdated infrastructure and insufficient authority to enforce pollution control measures.
  • Elite Capture and Urban-Centric Policies: High-tech solutions benefit metropolitan areas, while rural and informal sectors—major pollution contributors—are often overlooked.

Way Forward

  • Strengthening Local Governance: Empower municipal bodies with adequate resources and authority for effective pollution control.
  • Data-Driven Targeted Actions: Shift from broad pollution monitoring to identifying and addressing specific pollution sources.
  • Equitable Policy Implementation: Ensure pollution control measures reach rural and informal sectors, not just urban elites.
  • Balancing Research and Action: Establish separate funding for research and immediate, on-ground interventions to accelerate progress.

India’s clean air future depends on people, partnerships, and purposeful action rather than over-reliance on technology or fragmented efforts.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
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हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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