Severe air pollution in Delhi or North India and how citizen are serious about it?

India, a land of vivid colours, and various rich landscapes  is also dealing with a silent but lethal foe: air pollution. This battle is most visible in Delhi and the country’s northern regions, where residents are taking action to combat the environmental issue.

According to a WHO survey of 1,650 world cities and a survey of 7,000 world cities conducted by the US-based Health Effects Institute in August 2022, Delhi, India‘s capital region, has the worst air quality of any large city in the world. It also affects the districts surrounding Delhi. Every year, air pollution kills over 2 million people in India which makes up for country’s sixth leading cause of death. The WHO reports that India has the world’s highest death rate from chronic respiratory illnesses and asthma. Poor air quality in Delhi permanently harms the lungs of 2.2 million youngsters, or half of the total population.

Factors affecting Air Pollution in Delhi

Air pollution in Delhi is mostly caused by a variety of factors, including garbage, road dust, power plant industry waste, and transportation emissions. This has resulted in PM 2.5 levels exceeding 400 in November 2023, having a major influence on the Air Quality Index.

Furthermore, the negligent and inconspicuous use of vehicles and machinery has led to the rise in air pollution levels in Delhi. The implications of Delhi’s pollution levels are creating considerable environmental damage. Additionally, it is posing health hazards to local residents, resulting in a daily drop in their life expectancy.

Delhi’s air pollution comes from a variety of sources, including factories, trash disposal, transportation dust, residential cooking, waste burning, and diesel generator sets. Waste burning and transportation are the main causes to the city’s air pollution. Recent news and reports from 2021 show the astonishing amount of registered vehicles in Delhi, which total 1.50 crore. This increased number of automobiles demands proper maintenance and regular Pollution Under Control (PUC) checks for individuals. 

To effectively solve the air pollution crisis, it is necessary to address the underlying causes. This includes implementing efforts to reduce stubble burning and maintaining strict laws to promote greenery. Additionally, lowering vehicle emissions and regulating trash movement are critical elements towards restoring and sustaining Delhi’s air quality. Furthermore, detailed norms enforcing the use of environmentally beneficial practices by all citizens are required. These regulations will be critical in reducing air pollution in Delhi while also protecting the health and well-being of all citizens.

Tackle the Root

Few actions can help reduce air pollution in Delhi:

1. Car pooling: To reduce traffic-related air pollution and congestion, introduce carpool lanes for cars and four-wheelers with three or more passengers. Meanwhile, citizens should take the initiative to carpool with friends, colleagues, and family whenever possible.
2. Use bicycles: Designate bicycle lanes in residential neighbourhoods and on all roadways in Delhi to encourage safe bicycle travel. Meanwhile, citizens should be encouraged to use bicycles.
3. Public transit: Encourage more people to utilise public transport by supporting Metro, overhead rail and bus services, which make it more affordable and safe to commute by public transport rather than driving their own cars. Citizens, too, must let go of their concerns about social status and actively want to use public transportation.
4. Re-route Trucks: Trucks travelling to other locations should not be allowed to pass through Delhi and only use the bypass.
5. Burning waste: Burning leaves, old tyres, or any other item in the open should be declared a penal violation in the NCR because it is a major source of air pollution. Citizens should be asked to report such instances via helpline numbers and email.
6. Solar power: Solar panel installation should be encouraged in houses, multi-story buildings, and business institutions to provide decentralised power with appropriate subsidies to make it financially viable for all households. The cost of solar panels has dropped significantly. This should help retire all coal-fired thermal power facilities, which are contributing significantly to Delhi’s air pollution problems and negatively impacting climate change.
7. Dietary Alteration: It is safe to say that in India over 7000 years, Millets such as jowar, bajra, and ragi have been growing in India. In the twentieth century, they were replaced by wheat and rice. Thankfully, millets are making a comeback thanks to a renewed attention by the national government. For a good reason. They are great for dry and arid climates, use less fertiliser and pesticides, are more nutritious, have a lower glycemic index, and are gluten-free. With the correct government incentives, switching to millet farming in Northern India will allow for earlier cropping, less water use, and higher agricultural profitability. Most importantly, it will alleviate the issue of crop burning in cold weather.

Summarizing, Delhi’s fight against air pollution is urgent and multidimensional. It involves coordinated actions from residents, government agencies, and industry stakeholders. By tackling core issues such as vehicle emissions and waste management, as well as supporting sustainable behaviours like as carpooling, public transport, and solar power, Delhi may move towards cleaner air and a healthier future for its citizens. Collaborative measures, tough legislation, and public awareness campaigns are critical to combating this quiet but devastating foe and securing a greener, cleaner Delhi for future generations.

References:

All About Delhi’s Air Pollution (no date) Metropolis India Lab. Available at: https://www.metropolisindia.com/blog/preventive-healthcare/delhis-air-quality-understanding-pollution-causes-and-concerns (Accessed: 17 April 2024).

14 ways citizens and govt can help reduce air pollution in Delhi (no date) Down To Earth. Available at: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/air/14-ways-citizens-and-govt-can-help-reduce-air-pollution-in-delhi-62138 (Accessed: 17 April 2024).

Kini, V. (2023) Delhi Air Pollution – 5 Solutions in the Hands of Citizens, LinkedIn. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/delhi-air-pollution-5-solutions-hands-citizens-venkatesh-kini-5izmc (Accessed: 17 April 2024).