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Context

Air pollution in India is not just a seasonal issue. It is a persistent environmental and public health crisis.

With cities frequently topping global pollution rankings the need for a robust and coordinated approach to air quality management is more urgent than ever.

Air pollution in India

India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and air pollution is one of the challenges associated with this growth and development.

Of the world’s 30 cities with the worst air pollution, 21 are in India. The capital, New Delhi, has the poorest air quality among capital cities globally. Concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) in New Delhi are nearly 10 times higher than the World Health Organization guidelines.

Air pollution is a silent killer, causing more than 2 million deaths a year in India.

$95bn: impact of dirty air to the Indian economy If India had achieved safe air quality levels in 2019, its GDP would have increased by $95 billion.

Health and Environmental Impact

Increased cases of asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases and premature deaths.

Air pollution contributes to global warming and disrupts monsoon patterns.

Reduced outdoor working hours, school closures and increased healthcare costs.

Key Indicators include High PM2.5 and PM10 levels, frequent smog episodes and increasing respiratory diseases.

Major Sources of Air Pollution

Delhi’s smog is largely caused by vehicular emissions highlighting the need for stricter fuel and emission norms.

Unchecked emissions from factories and thermal plants add to the pollution crisis.

Farmers burning stubble contribute significantly to seasonal smog especially in North India.

Challenges in Air Quality Management

Fragmented and Slow Implementation

NCAP aims to reduce PM2.5 levels by 40% by 2026 from 2017 levels but progress has been slow due to poor enforcement.

Inadequate coordination between central, state and municipal agencies

Poor Air Quality Monitoring & Data Reliability

Heavy reliance on ambient air quality data which can be misleading due to weather variations.

Need for better monitoring of specific emission sources like transport, industries and waste burning.

Insufficient Funding & Utilization

India's air pollution budget is far lower than countries like China which spent ₹22 lakh crore over 5 years on air quality improvement.

Only 60% of NCAP funds were utilized between 2019-2023 indicating inefficiencies.

Over Reliance on High Tech Solutions

Smog towers, AI driven air quality dashboards and sophisticated monitoring systems have limited impact without addressing core pollution sources.

Real change requires systemic reforms not just technological interventions.

Way Forward

Strengthening Policy & Governance

Municipal bodies must be empowered with funds and technical expertise.

Need more autonomy, funding and enforcement powers.

Sector-Specific Interventions

Data Driven Approach for Air Quality Management

Use high resolution, open source data to track emissions in real time.

Focus on activity-based metrics e.g., diesel buses phased out, LPG stoves distributed rather than just air quality index (AQI) scores.

Learning from Global Examples

India must adapt global best practices to its unique economic and social context ensuring that reforms are federalism friendly and inclusive of rural and informal sectors.

Conclusion

Clean air must be a fundamental right not a privilege.

Success in air pollution control requires coordination, data driven policies and committed action at all levels of governance.

India's economic and public health future depends on prioritizing air quality improvements now rather than reacting to crises later.

Sources:

HINDU