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In the latest 2023 World Air Quality Report, India found itself in the unenviable position of being the third most polluted nation, trailing behind Bangladesh and Pakistan. The annual PM2.5 concentration averaged 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre, indicating a deterioration from 2022 when India occupied the eighth spot with 53.3 micrograms per cubic metre.
The report highlighted a concerning revelation regarding Indian cities, with 42 out of 50 of the world's most polluted urban areas. Begusarai, a metropolis in Bihar, emerged as the worst offender with a significant surge in PM2.5 concentration from 19.7 to 118.9 micrograms per cubic metre. Guwahati and Delhi followed suit with notable escalations in air pollution levels. The data, meticulously compiled from over 30,000 monitoring stations globally, underscores the urgent need for stringent measures to combat air pollution.
Given this scenario, let’s investigate the measures taken by the Indian government to address the pollution crisis, including policy initiatives, regulations, and their effectiveness in mitigating pollution levels.
Tackling Escalating Pollution: Implementing Strategies for Environmental Control in India
Various organizations have studied mortality, morbidity, and life expectancy linked to air pollution. These studies rely on models and simulations using secondary data and extrapolations from small samples to broader populations. However, conclusive data directly correlating pollution to death or disease are lacking. The health impacts of pollution are multifaceted, involving factors such as diet, occupation, socioeconomic status, medical history, immunity, and genetics.
According to CPCB standards, cities surpassing annual NAAQS for five consecutive years with sufficient monitoring stations are designated as Non-Attainment Cities (NACs). Currently, 123 cities, including coastal ones like Mumbai and Vishakhapatnam, have been identified. Clean Air Action Plans tailored to each city's specific pollution sources and responsible agencies have been devised to combat air quality issues. These plans encompass short, medium, and long-term strategies targeting pollutants from sources like road dust, vehicles, domestic fuels, waste burning, construction, and industries.
Actions Taken By The Central Government
National Clean Air Programme:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) initiated the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2019, targeting 131 cities across 24 states to enhance air quality through stakeholder engagement.
NCAP aims to decrease PM10 concentration by 20-30% from 2017 levels by 2024, with a revised goal of achieving a 40% reduction or meeting national standards (60 µg/m3) by 2025-26.
City Action Plans (CAPs) have been formulated and are currently being executed by Urban Local Bodies in all 131 cities.
These CAPs focus on specific sources of air pollution in each city, including soil and road dust, vehicles, domestic fuel, waste burning, construction, and industries.
Financial support is provided based on performance to aid the implementation of CAP activities in these cities.
Funding for CAP implementation is sourced from various central government schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), AMRUT, Smart City Mission, SATAT, FAME-II, Nagar Van Yojna, as well as from state/UT governments and related agencies.
Public Grievance Redressal Portals and helplines have been established in all 131 cities to address air pollution complaints promptly.
Emergency Response Systems (ERS/GRAP) have been developed in all 131 cities to handle air quality emergencies effectively.
In FY 2022-23, 88 out of the 131 cities demonstrated improvements in annual PM10 concentrations compared to the baseline of FY 2017-18.
Measures for control of vehicular emissions:
Implementation of BS-VI fuel standards nationwide, with Delhi adopting them from April 1, 2018, and the rest of the country from April 1, 2020, skipping BS-IV entirely.
Deployment of the RFID (radio-frequency identity) system by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to collect tolls and environmental compensation Charges from commercial vehicles entering Delhi.
Rollout of BS VI-compliant vehicles throughout India starting from April 2020, ensuring reduced emissions.
Provision of subsidies on electric vehicles by the Department of Heavy Industry under the FAME-II India scheme, promoting their adoption and manufacture.
Launch of the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative, aiming to establish Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production plants and supply CBG for automotive fuel.
Activation of Expressways & Highways to redirect non-destined traffic, easing congestion and improving overall traffic flow.
Measures for control of industrial emission
Notifications regarding SO2 and NOx emission standards have been issued for Thermal Power Plants.
Ban on the use of pet coke and furnace oil as fuel in the NCR States since October 24, 2017, and ban on the use of imported pet coke in the country since July 26, 2018, except for use in permitted processes.
Measures for control of emissions from Stubble Burning
MoA&FW launched a subsidy scheme in 2018 for crop residue management machinery and CHCs in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, allocating over Rs. 2440.07 crores by 2022. This facilitated the delivery of 2 lakh+ machinery and over 39,000 CHCs.
CPCB provided financial aid guidelines for paddy straw-based pelletization and torrefaction plants in the Northern Region, with maximum support of Rs. 28 lakhs or 40% of the capital cost for pelletization, and Rs. 56 lakhs or 40% for torrefaction, from a corpus of Rs. 50 crores. Nine plants are sanctioned, mostly in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
An addendum to CPCB guidelines offers one-time financial assistance to local governing bodies in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and select districts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for establishing briquetting plants for cremation.
CAQM directed Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to enforce a framework to eliminate stubble burning.
Since Nov 10, 2023, 33 CPCB scientists have been deployed as flying squads to monitor stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, recently recalled post-harvest season.
CAQM permits PNG or biomass as industrial fuel in the NCR, except Delhi where only PNG is allowed. Co-firing of 5-10% biomass with coal is mandated in nearby thermal power plants and industrial units in the NCR.
Actions taken by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Air Quality Monitoring and Network
Launch of the National Air Quality Index (AQI) in 2015, disseminating daily air quality bulletins to the public.
Establishment of a network of 1447 ambient air quality monitoring stations across 516 cities in 28 states and 7 UTs.
Operation of a Central Control Room by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), providing real-time tracking of PM concentrations, Live Air Quality Data, and Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi-NCR.
Regular monitoring and publication of AQI data on the website, aiding the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in decision-making for pollution control.
Measures for Control of Vehicular Refueling Emissions
Installation of Vapour Recovery Systems (VRS) in petrol pumps selling specified quantities in million-plus cities and cities with populations between 1 lakh to 1 million.
Directives issued to major oil companies for VRS installation as per specified criteria.
Measures for Control of Industrial Emission
Mandate for highly polluting industries to install Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) for better compliance.
Enforcement of industry-specific discharge standards by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), with 79 industrial sectors covered.
Promotion of cleaner fuels and technologies, such as PNG and zig-zag technology for brick kilns.
Measures for Control of Emissions from Stubble Burning
Promotion of paddy straw-based pelletization and financial support for setting up briquetting plants to tackle stubble burning.
Daily monitoring of Active Fire Events (AFEs) during stubble burning periods and provision of reports to relevant authorities for action.
MSW and C&D Waste Management
Issuance of guidelines for managing Construction & Demolition (C&D) Wastes and mitigating dust at construction sites.
Deployment of Anti-Smog Guns and dust mitigation measures at large construction projects.
Technical Interventions
Conducting research projects with premier institutions to provide scientific inputs for improving air quality.
Daily reporting of AQI, meteorological forecasts, and pollution trends to inform stakeholders.
Close Monitoring & Ground-Level Implementation
Deployment of CPCB teams during winter to oversee pollution-related activities and enforce regulations.
Incognito inspections are conducted by flying squads to identify and address violations.
Regular Stakeholder Consultation, Public & Media Outreach
Coordination with government bodies and urban local bodies to assess mitigation measures and combat air pollution.
Utilization of social media platforms for public outreach and complaint redressal.
Regulatory Actions
Issuance of directions for pollution control measures and the formulation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) under the supervision of CAQM and CPCB.
To tackle road dust emissions, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is providing financial support to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the National Capital Region (NCR). This funding is designated for the construction or repair of roads and the acquisition of anti-smog guns and mechanical road sweepers through Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) funds. The aim is to implement measures that effectively mitigate road dust pollution in urban areas.
Similarly, to address emissions from diesel generator (DG) sets, CPCB is allocating funds for the retrofitting or upgrading of DG sets primarily in government hospitals across Delhi-NCR, also under the EPC funds framework. This initiative targets the reduction of harmful emissions from DG sets, thereby contributing to overall air quality improvement in the region, particularly in sensitive areas such as healthcare facilities.
