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
- Free & 24 Hour Electricity i.e. Shutdown of Diesel Power Generators
- EV policy: Decisive Shift to Electric Vehicles
- Revolutionary Swift to Electric buses
- Expansion of Public Transportation
- Work on increasing Green Cover
- Moving Delhi (including Industry) to Cleaner Fuels instead of Coal/Wood
- Promotion of Renewable Energy
- Dust Control Mecanised Vaccum Sweeping of Roads & Anti Smog Guns
¶ 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:
https://www.dailyo.in/variety/pollution-air-quality-delhi-pollution-arvind-kejriwal-epca-odd-even-odd-even-scheme-32156 ↩︎
https://delhiplanning.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/Planning/chapter_8.pdf ↩︎
https://ddc.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-06/Delhi-Government-Performance-Report-2015-2022.pdf ↩︎
https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/from-drones-to-wfh-delhi-s-21-point-winter-action-plan-to-tackle-pollution-124092600672_1.html ↩︎
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_Delhi#cite_note-18 ↩︎
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_Delhi#cite_note-veconomist-19 ↩︎
