Delhi Air Pollution: The Problem, Solutions and the Impact on ground

Last Updated: 17 Oct 2024

Pollution is not a Delhi-centric problem. It is rather a problem that affects all of north India. Governments of most other states are yet to accept that their cities too are polluted [1]

IMPACT by Delhi Govt Efforts: 35% LESS polluted days

-- The number of good/satisfactory/moderate days in Delhi increased to 206 in 2023[2] compared to 108 in 2016[3]
-- The number of poor/very poor/severe days in Delhi decreased to 159 in 2023 against 243 in 2016[4]

IMPACT on PM 10 & PM 2.5

-- 32% Reduction in PM10 particles from 2023 vs 2014

-- 29% DOWN in PM2.5 particles from 2023 vs 2014

Understanding the Problem

Short-term Solutions implemented

Long term Solution implemented

Pollution - What's the Problem?

Seriousness of the Pollution problem can be gauged by below 2 reports:

-- As many as 10,000 people a year may die prematurely in Delhi as a result of air pollution[5]
-- Delhi citizens would live on average an extra nine years if Delhi met WHO air quality standards[6]

Why Specifically in Winters

During the winter season in North India, the prevailing atmospheric inversion is limiting the dispersal of pollutants as the upper level air is descending to ground level



References:

  1. https://www.dailyo.in/variety/pollution-air-quality-delhi-pollution-arvind-kejriwal-epca-odd-even-odd-even-scheme-32156 ↩︎

  2. https://delhiplanning.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/Planning/chapter_8.pdf ↩︎

  3. https://ddc.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-06/Delhi-Government-Performance-Report-2015-2022.pdf ↩︎

  4. https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/from-drones-to-wfh-delhi-s-21-point-winter-action-plan-to-tackle-pollution-124092600672_1.html ↩︎

  5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_Delhi#cite_note-18 ↩︎

  6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_Delhi#cite_note-veconomist-19 ↩︎