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Delhi Air Quality: Causes, Effects, and Measures for Sustainable Change

PWOnlyIAS November 02, 2023 11:10 4045 0

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Context: Delhi Air Quality fell to the ‘very poor’ category for the first time this season.

Delhi Air Quality: Causes, Effects, and Measures for Sustainable Change

Live Update:

  • As per the latest data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), overall air quality in Delhi on 03 November, 2023 further deteriorated “severe” category.
  • Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the danger mark of 400 at various places in Delhi, data on SAFAR-India’s website showed.
  • Concentration of PM2.5: It exceeded the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by a 7 to 8 times across various locations which can trigger respiratory and health problems.
  • Stubble burning accounted for 25% of the PM2.5 pollution in Delhi on November 2 and may reach as high as 35% today.
    • According to data, over 2,500 cases of stubble burning have been reported this year so far.
    • However, farm fire numbers are better than those of the previous two years.

About Air Quality Index (AQI)

  • About: It is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms that are easy to understand.
  • Category of AQI: Good, satisfactory, moderate, poor, very poor, and severe.
  • Factor: Each of these categories is decided based on the ambient concentration values of air pollutants and their likely health impacts (known as health breakpoints).
  • Parameters of AQI: According to the AQI scale, the air quality check between
    • Good: 0 and 50
    • Satisfactory: 51 and 100
    • Moderate: 101 and 200
    • Poor: 201 and 300
    • Very Poor: 301 and 400
    • Severe: 401 and 450.

Delhi Implements Stage-II GRAP Amid Severe Pollution, Temperature Concerns

  • PM Pollutant: PM2.5 being the main pollutant. Prolonged exposure to this pollutant can cause respiratory illness.
  • The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), as a response to AQI reaching the ‘very poor’ category, has invoked stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
    • CAQM was set up by the centre to coordinate and oversee diverse efforts to improve air quality in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It replaced Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA). 
  • Under GRAP-II plans, following steps will be taken:
    • Sweeping and watering of roads daily.
    • Enforcement of dust control measures at Construction and Demolition (C&D) sites strictly.
    • Controlling air pollution in hotspot areas of the city.
    • Providing uninterrupted power supply to reduce usage of diesel generators.
    • Coordinating traffic movements to facilitate smooth traffic flow and reduce vehicular emissions.
    • Alerting the public about air pollution levels through mass media. It also involves giving suggestions and guidelines.
    • To discourage private vehicles, increasing parking fees.
    • Expanding CNG or electric bus and metro services by increasing the frequency.
    • To discourage open burning of biomass and municipal solid, electric heaters have to be provided to security staff.
  • Temperatures: The minimum temperature in the city was 15.6 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature was 31.3 degrees Celsius.
    • Cooler temperatures and calm conditions can potentially increase the pollution levels further. 

Understanding the Factors Behind Delhi’s Persistent Air Quality Crisis

  • Air Pollutants:
    • Crop Burning: Farmers of the states around Delhi carry out stubble burning to prepare the field for their next crop. The pollutants generated are carried towards Delhi.
    • Vehicular Emissions: Emissions from vehicles cause hazardous effects of air pollution and smog. The number of vehicles plying on the road makes this a serious cause of pollution.
    • Construction Dust: Increase in construction and other infrastructure work in the region has led to generation of construction dust, which acts as a pollutant.
    • Industrial Pollution: Industries located in Delhi-NCR have failed to adopt environment friendly fuels and techniques. They emit gases which cause pollution.
    • Firecrackers: During the winter months when pollution levels are at the peak, the bursting of firecrackers during festivals adds to the already existing pollution load.
    • Landfill fires: The burning of municipal solid waste, both at landfill sites and other areas further contribute to pollution.
  • Weather Conditions:
    • Stagnant Winds: Due to stagnant winds during winter, the pollutants generated in the area get trapped over the region. This increases the chances of pollution to a great extent.
    • Low Air Inversion: During winter months, the upward movement of air from the layers below is stopped. This causes polluted air to be stagnant over the region.
  • Geographical Reason:
    • Delhi is land-locked from all sides. The north-westerly winds coming from Pakistan and Afghanistan bring in large amounts of dust particles to the region. 
    • Due to the presence of Himalayas, which block the escape route of the air, the dust and pollutants settle in the region.
  • Administrative Reasons:
    • Less Focus on Public Transport: There has been very less focus on public transport as an alternative mode of transport. 
    • Road Infrastructure: The government of the day has been unable to focus on improving transport infrastructure. This leads to congested roads, and hence air pollution.

Air Quality

Impact of Air Pollution: Health Risks, Environmental Consequences, and Aviation Challenges

  • Breathing Problems: Continuous exposure to poor quality air can lead to development of bronchitis. It can cause cough, breathlessness, and wheezing in people.
  • Chronic Diseases: Poor air quality has potential to cause heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. This will reduce the lifespan of the population.
  • Growth of Babies: Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to poor air quality can hamper natural growth of babies.
  • Health Burden: Poor air quality and the resultant health effects can be a financial burden on households and also the government.
  • Vegetation Growth: Studies have shown that poor quality of air can damage crops and trees in a variety of ways. This will affect growth of greenery and also food security.
  • Water Pollution: Nitrogen oxides emitted from power plants, cars, trucks, and other sources contribute to the amount of nitrogen entering aquatic ecosystems. This causes eutrophication.
  • Air Traffic: Air pollutants react with sunlight to produce haze. This haze affects visibility of aircrafts, thus disrupting their operation.

Effective Measures in Place to Tackle Delhi’s Persistent Air Pollution Crisis”

  • Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): These are the set measures that have to be taken only when the air quality in Delhi NCR deteriorates beyond a certain threshold. It was introduced in 2017.
    • Some of the steps include stopping of construction and demolition activities, holidays for school and offices, restrictive vehicular movement etc.
  • Odd-Even Vehicles: According to this plan, vehicles with odd and even registration numbers would ply on the road on alternate days.
  • Peripheral Road: The construction of western and eastern peripheral highways allowed large commercials to bypass Delhi, thereby reducing pollution burden.
  • Ban on old Fossil fuel Vehicles: The government of Delhi has banned diesel vehicles over 10 years old, and petrol vehicles over 15 years old.
  • Control Stubble Burning: To control stubble burning, farmers are subsidized to use farm machinery that reduces the need to burn stubble. 
    • Fines have been imposed for stubble burning. In addition, new techniques to speed up the process of decomposition of farm stubble have been promoted.
  • Vehicle Norms: Vehicles plying on the streets of Delhi-NCR must use vehicles which follow Bharat Stage VI norms. This reduces pollution.
  • Electric Vehicles Promotion: The government is making efforts to promote electric vehicles as an alternative to fossil fuel vehicles. 
  • Ban on firecrackers: The government of Delhi has banned bursting of firecrackers in order to prevent increase in air pollution.

Conclusion:

Air pollution is a big menace for the society, especially in a city like Delhi, which faces this issue annually. It is therefore necessary to carry out steps that provide a long-term solution to this problem. 

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Air Quality FAQs

GRAP are the set measures that have to be taken only when the air quality in Delhi NCR deteriorates beyond a certain threshold.

Vehicular emissions, dust, firecrackers, construction and demolition waste, stubble burning pollutants etc are some of the factors responsible for Delhi’s air pollution.

Delhi is land-locked from all sides. The north-westerly winds coming from Pakistan and Afghanistan bring in large amounts of dust particles to the region. Due to the presence of Himalayas, which block the escape route of the air, the dust and pollutants settle in the region.

CAQM was set up by the centre to coordinate and oversee diverse efforts to improve air quality in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Introduction of GRAP, promoting public transport, odd-even scheme, ban on fossil fuel vehicles, ban on municipal waste burning, ban on coal fuel etc are some of the measures taken to address air pollution in Delhi.

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