In less than six months, Delhi has reclaimed its dubious title as one of the world's most polluted cities. The Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to a staggering 352, slipping into the 'very poor' category. Areas like Anand Vihar eclipsed an AQI of 400, marked as 'severe', while Indira Gandhi International Airport recorded an alarming 324. A thick shroud of smog blankets the city, with IQAir reporting that New Delhi closely trails Lahore, which holds the grim record of 538.
This time, many residents are not waiting for the city to act. Dubbed “Pollution Migrants,” families with vulnerable children are leaving Delhi, at least till after Diwali when air quality plummets to hazardous levels. A prominent chef at a five-star hotel admitted to taking a ‘pollution break’ during Diwali for the past decade, often extending his stay away due to his children’s health issues. A recent study from the
University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute revealed that pollution is snatching an average of 12 years off the life of every city resident.
Doctors are on high alert, warning that respiratory issues such as asthma and bronchitis could become chronic. Medical experts fear that long-term exposure to pollution may exacerbate strokes and cardiovascular diseases. Even the healthiest individuals face adverse effects, including diminished work performance. In 2015, renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Naresh Trehan highlighted the dire consequences of pollution, urging the Delhi government to act swiftly.
The pollutants—PM2.5 and PM10—pose lasting threats to female fertility and damage sperm quality in men through harmful compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Noise pollution from fossil fuel vehicles compounds the issue, disrupting sleep patterns and increasing infertility rates.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, Delhi has lagged in adopting electric vehicles (EVs), even as vehicular emissions account for nearly 40% of the city’s pollution. “With over 85% of transport sector emissions coming from road transport, transitioning to EVs is vital for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070,” warns Prof. Gufran Beig, Chair Professor at NIAS, IISc-Campus, Bengaluru, and Founder of SAFAR. The slow pace of EV adoption is often blamed on inadequate charging infrastructure and lackluster policy implementation, which has hindered any real improvement in AQI, despite a decrease in stubble burning due to stringent Supreme Court directives.
In contrast, China has demonstrated remarkable success in curbing pollution in its major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Research published in the journal Nature indicates that as fuel vehicles were gradually replaced with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), emissions and air pollutants dropped significantly. The mass adoption of BEVs, supported by substantial financial subsidies and government policies, has proven crucial for enhancing air quality.
China achieved this transformation in just a few years—a stark contrast to the polluted skies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics that required artificial rain to clear. A study from ScienceDirect quantifies that each EV in Shanghai delivers US$ 6,400 in health and climate benefits, particularly when replacing older internal combustion engine vehicles. “India has the potential to transition to electric mobility swiftly, given its low motor vehicle ownership at 60 per 1,000 people, compared to 230 in China and 700-800 in developed nations. The country is also rich in solar and wind resources for green electricity,” asserts Alok Kumar, former Union Power Secretary and current Director at The Lantau Group.
As winter sets in, Delhi's AQI is set to breach 350, with many areas likely crossing 400, posing severe health risks. Neighboring states are maki…
