DELHI AIR POLLUTION 2024

Delhi Air Pollution, the Air Quality Index in Delhi hit the ‘severe’ category, leading the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to implement GRAP-III in the capital region.

In the midst of high air pollution in Delhi, Chief Minister Atishi declared on Thursday that all schools in the national capital will shut down, with classes moving to virtual platforms. The choice was made when Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) went up to 428 on Thursday morning, entering the ‘severe’ category for the first time this season. Officials say this presents a major health hazard for residents.

Due to Delhi’s air quality worsening to a severe level, the city government declared on Thursday that all classes for students up to Class V will be transitioned to online learning. “All primary schools in Delhi will transition to online classes as a result of increasing pollution levels, until further notice,” stated Atishi, Chief Minister of Delhi, on X.

The choice to shift primary classes to online was made after restrictions were implemented during Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. These actions involve prohibiting construction and demolition work and restricting the access of specific vehicles into Delhi.

In the meantime, the DMRC has declared an extra 20 rides during weekdays. This adds to the 40 additional trips that were already in operation since the introduction of GRAP-II. Delhi Metro plans to increase its weekday trips by 60 in order to serve a larger number of commuters and alleviate congestion caused by pollution in the city. These extra services will continue as long as GRAP-III guidelines are implemented.

Delhi Air quality levels on Diwali 2024.

The air quality levels in Delhi reached alarming heights during Diwali Peak hours. 31st October 2024, Diwali day recorded 167 at 8:00 Pm the last lowest after this, Air Quality levels just kept rising. Firecrackers started bursting around and Air quality levels peaked. Here are the top locations data midnight:

1. Hauz Khas: 481
2. Paschim Vihar:  658
3. Karkarduma: 806 (highest recorded)
4. Saket: 528
5. Shalimar Bagh: 551
6. Lajpat Nagar: 593

As observed in the graph, the AQI levels were at the lowest in every location in Delhi before 10:00 PM. Till 12:00 AM midnight, AQI reached the worst levels. The study point started at night to check what is the current conditions and continued till 1st November 2024, 7:00 AM.

Delhi Air Pollution

The city of Delhi, the capital of India, is currently experiencing a severe air pollution problem that is greatly affecting the well-being and quality of life of its inhabitants. Every year, especially in winter, the air quality worsens, resulting in dangerous levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2).

The study on air pollution in Delhi showcases the urban air pollution crisis in India, where major cities are among the worst in the World Air Quality Index (AQI). Delhi is in 5th place, Kolkata is in 8th place, and Mumbai is in 9th place. As a result of the extreme levels of air pollution, emergency measures have been implemented by the government, including the prohibition of construction work, closure of schools, and even the shutting down of roads to address the crisis.

Reasons of Delhi Air Pollution

Delhi’s air pollution arises from a mix of natural and human-made sources. In a study by IIT Kanpur (2015), major sources of air pollution in Delhi included:

1. Vehicular Pollution: Delhi has a high number of vehicles, which contribute significantly to pollution through emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM 2.5).
   
2. Road and Soil Dust: Dust from roads and unpaved surfaces is a significant contributor to air pollution. Factors like construction activities and vehicle movement disturb soil and road surfaces, releasing fine particles into the air.
   
3. Construction and Demolition Dust: The rapid urbanization and ongoing infrastructure projects lead to substantial dust generation contributing to PM 10 levels from construction and demolition activities.
   
4. Crop Burning: Farmers in states like Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh burn crop stubble to clear fields as an immediate and simple solution after harvest. This practice releases massive amounts of smoke and significantly harmful particles into the air which are then carried into Delhi by winds, significantly worsening the levels of pollutions.
   
5. Trans-state Movement of Pollutants: Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh often engage in stubble burning to clear fields post-harvest. The smoke and particulates generated travel into Delhi, significantly deteriorating air quality.
   
6. Industrial Sources/Thermal Power Stations: Industries located in and around Delhi, particularly those that have not adopted environmentally friendly practices, release harmful emissions.
   
7. Natural Causes: Natural factors, such as geographic conditions, also contribute to air pollution. For instance, temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground, leading to smog and poor air quality during winter months.
   
8. Overpopulation: Delhi’s infrastructure is under immense pressure due to its rapid urban growth, fuelled by a population of over 20 million. The influx of people results in more vehicles, waste, and energy usage, leading to elevated pollution levels in the city.
   
9. Fireworks during festivals: Fireworks are still being set off during festivals like Diwali, even though firecrackers have been prohibited. During the holiday season, fireworks emit harmful chemicals like sulphur dioxide and airborne particles, contributing to elevated pollution levels.
   
10. Frozen, unmoving winter air: In the winter, Delhi’s cold climate causes air to freeze and become stagnant, trapping pollutants like smoke, dust, and factory emissions close to the ground. This leads to the accumulation of smog, which lowers air quality and poses health risks to the population.
    

The effects of air pollution in Delhi
Delhi’s air pollution affects many areas, including the environment, the economy, and public health. The causes of Delhi’s air pollution include:

1. Impact on Health: High concentrations of pollutants, such as NO2 and PM 2.5, cause cardiovascular disorders, respiratory problems, and even early mortality. Asthma cases have significantly increased in Delhi, particularly among children and the elderly.
2. Effect on Children’s Development: Children’s health and development may be negatively impacted for some time by exposure to air pollution. According to studies, it may have an impact on a baby’s normal growth.
3. Environmental Damage: Delhi’s ecosystem is negatively impacted by the high pollution levels, which also disrupt animal habitats, plant growth, and even water bodies because of acid rain.
4. Economic Costs: Delhi’s air pollution has a substantial financial impact. In Delhi NCR, productivity losses brought on by illnesses linked to pollution result in higher healthcare expenses and less effective workers.
5. Decreased Quality of Life: Smog, poor visibility, and the necessity of spending a lot of time indoors during periods of high pollution cause Delhi residents to live with a lower quality of life. The pollution in Delhi has reportedly reduced life expectancy by 11.9 years.
6. Social Impact: Communities with lower incomes are disproportionately impacted by air pollution because they frequently reside in locations with greater pollution levels and have less access to healthcare. The government, businesses, and society must act quickly to address these problems and put effective policies in place to reduce air pollution in Delhi.

The Solution to Delhi Air Pollution Problem

Addressing the air pollution crisis in Delhi necessitates a comprehensive strategy that tackles both the immediate and long-term factors contributing to pollution. The government has implemented several initiatives, including:

1. Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): This structured framework, established in 2017, delineates specific actions to be executed when air quality in the Delhi NCR region falls below a designated threshold.
2. Odd-Even Rule: This regulation permits vehicles with odd and even registration numbers to operate on alternate days, thereby decreasing the volume of cars on the roads.
3. Peripheral Highways: The development of the western and eastern peripheral highways aims to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution levels.
4. Ban on Old Fossil Fuel Vehicles: The Delhi government has prohibited petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years from operating.
5. Stubble Burning Control: Initiatives include subsidizing agricultural machinery to minimize the necessity for burning, imposing penalties for stubble burning, and promoting alternative agricultural practices.
6. Bharat Stage VI Norms: All vehicles operating within the Delhi-NCR must adhere to Bharat Stage VI emission standards.
7. Green War Room and Green Delhi Application: This dedicated monitoring system facilitates real-time air quality tracking, complemented by an application for reporting pollution-related issues.
8. Wearing Masks: During periods of high pollution, the use of masks can significantly enhance personal safety.
9. Air Purifiers: HEPA purifiers are effective in improving indoor air quality by removing dust and other particulate matter.