Despite the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan, including stricter dust control and bans on open burning, smog continues to blanket the city
Every year, an estimated 4.2 million deaths are linked to ambient air pollution worldwide, as nearly 91 per cent of the global population resides in areas where air quality exceeds the safe limits set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In Asia’s largest metropolitan regions, rapid urbanisation, unchecked industrialisation, population growth, and the surge in automobiles and construction activities have exacerbated air pollution levels, posing severe health risks. Delhi, one of the most polluted cities in the world, exemplifies this crisis, with its air quality frequently plummeting to hazardous levels, especially during the winter months, making it a focal point in the battle against air pollution in the region. On the morning of October 19, 2024, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached concerning levels in various parts of the Capital City, particularly in Anand Vihar and Akshardham, where it climbed to 334, placing it in the “very poor” category.
The worsening air quality in Delhi can be attributed to several key factors. First, as easterly winds set in, dust pollution across the National Capital Region (NCR) has become a primary cause of the declining AQI. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a series of measures aimed at addressing Delhi’s air pollution, was implemented on October 15 as the situation began to worsen.
These measures include frequent cleaning of roads and restrictions on diesel generators. However, despite these efforts, the problem continues to escalate. One of the most significant contributors to Delhi’s declining air quality is stubble burning in neighbouring states, primarily Punjab and Haryana. The Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi predicts that the contribution of stubble burning to the city’s pollution levels is expected to increase significantly over a few weeks. The seasonal practice of burning crop residue adds large amounts of particulate matter (PM2.5) to the air, exacerbating the already poor conditions in the city.
As air quality continues to worsen, there are reports of residents complaining of increasing health issues. Many are experiencing respiratory problems, including difficulty breathing, coughing, and throat irritation. According to media reports, the smog and particulate matter have caused inflammation of the airways and irritation in the eyes. These symptoms are consistent with high levels of pollution, which contribute to various respiratory illnesses to the extent that doctors have been receiving patients with skin issues too. Moreover, ENT specialists have noted a surge in cases involving nasal irritation, throat inflammation, and persistent dry coughs.
These symptoms are affecting children and adults too with complaints of inflammation, and gastrointestinal problems, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and dyspepsia, which have also been linked to pollution. In this regard, ‘climate change’ is another factor worsening this situation in Delhi.
With changing weather patterns, temperature inversions at regular intervals, and extreme weather conditions even during summer and winter, in this season, pollutants become trapped near the ground, creating a layer of smog. Delhi’s minimum temperature of 19.2 degrees Celsius, slightly above the seasonal average, contributes to these conditions. Moreover, climate change also aggravates the effects of vehicular emissions by reducing the frequency of rainfall, which would otherwise help to clear particulate matter from the air.
The government has taken several measures to curb the rising pollution, including implementing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) restrictions – which include different stages I-IV – besides imposing fines for open burning.
Additionally, authorities have been tasked with identifying local sources contributing to the worsening air quality. To tackle the immediate crises that have engulfed the Capital City, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan, in response to air quality data and weather forecasts provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), with a series of stringent measures, aimed at mitigating air pollution.
Key restrictions include enhanced dust control protocols at construction sites, improved waste management practices, and rigorous checks on polluting vehicles and industrial emissions, particularly from power plants and brick kilns. Additionally, open waste burning and the use of diesel generators are prohibited, along with a ban on coal and firewood in eateries. Construction and demolition activities exceeding 500 square meters face severe limitations, and diesel/petrol vehicles older than 10-15 years, as well as the use of firecrackers, are banned until January 1, 2025.
Not only this, traffic management is also prioritised, with increased deployment of police in congested areas to reduce vehicular idling, while visibly polluting vehicles face strict penalties and possible impoundment. These measures form part of a broader strategy to curtail air pollution and improve public health.
The situation is also a stark reminder of the need for collective action to address the underlying causes of air pollution, including vehicular emissions, waste burning, and industrial activities, in addition to climate mitigation efforts. What authorities must also look at is the underutilisation of the ‘smog tower,’ which was introduced as a major intervention.
(The writer is programme executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti; views are personal)
