Strengthening India's Air Quality Management | 30 Sep 2024

As winter approaches, Delhi once again grapples with its annual air pollution crisis, implementing a Winter Action Plan with some promising additions like drone monitoring and inter-departmental task forces. However, the city's efforts remain plagued by delayed implementation and a short-term perspective. While the plan addresses immediate concerns such as stubble burning in neighboring states, it fails to integrate into a comprehensive year-round strategy necessary for a metropolis with consistently high baseline pollution levels.

The challenge extends beyond Delhi, highlighting systemic issues in India's approach to air quality management. The Central government's Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been criticized for lack of effective mediation between states. Moreover, despite expert recommendations for targeted, geography-based interventions using the airshed method, Delhi's plan lacks substantial implementation of this approach. As India faces another season of hazardous air quality, there is an urgent need for authorities to adopt more flexible, proactive, and scientifically informed strategies to combat this persistent public health emergency.

Why Air Pollution Remains a Major Concern in India?

• Ineffective Implementation of Pollution Control Measures: Despite numerous policies and regulations, India struggles with the implementation of pollution control measures.
  • For instance, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched in 2019 aimed to reduce particulate matter concentrations by 20-30% by 2024 in 122 cities.
    • However, as of 2023, only 95 cities have shown a decrease in PM10 levels, with many still far from reaching the target.
• Persistent Agricultural Practices Contributing to Seasonal Spikes: The practice of stubble burning in northern India continues to be a significant contributor to air pollution, especially during the winter months.
  • In 2022, Punjab alone reported over 30,000 stubble burning incidents, despite efforts to provide farmers with alternative solutions.
  • The stubble burning contributes about 25% to 30% of the air quality issues (in Delhi) during peak burning days.
  • While there has been a slight decrease in burning incidents compared to previous years, the practice remains widespread due to economic constraints faced by farmers and the lack of viable alternatives, highlighting the need for more comprehensive and supportive policies.
• Rapid Urbanization and Infrastructure Development: India's rapid urbanization and infrastructure development continue to exacerbate air pollution levels.
  • According to the 2019 London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI), construction activities account for approximately 30% of particulate matter (PM10) emissions in the city, along with 8% of fine particulate matter (PM2. 5).
  • This unchecked growth, coupled with inadequate dust management practices, significantly contributes to the deterioration of air quality in urban areas.
• Increasing Vehicle Emissions in Urban Centers: The burgeoning number of vehicles in Indian cities continues to be a major source of air pollution.
  • India is the largest tractor producer, second-largest bus manufacturer, and third-largest heavy truck manufacturer in the world.
    • India’s annual production of automobiles in FY23 was 25.9 million vehicles.
  • Despite efforts to promote electric vehicles (EVs), they still represent only a small fraction of total vehicles.
    • The slow transition to cleaner fuels and electric mobility, coupled with inadequate public transportation infrastructure, keeps vehicle emissions a persistent problem in urban air quality management.
• Industrial Emissions and Lack of Stringent Enforcement: Industrial emissions remain a significant contributor to air pollution in India.
  • Only 5% of India's coal-fired power plants have installed air pollution control devices for sulfur dioxide emissions.
  • Furthermore, the Central Pollution Control Board identified 43 industrial clusters in 17 States as Critically Polluted Areas (CPAs).
    • Further, 32 industrial clusters are categorized as Severely Polluted Areas (SPAs).
  • The lack of stringent enforcement and frequent relaxation of norms for industries highlight the ongoing challenge in balancing economic growth with environmental protection.
• Indoor Air Pollution and Its Health Impacts: Indoor air pollution remains an often-overlooked but critical issue in India.
  • According to the World Health Organization's 2023 report, about 6.7 million premature deaths annually are attributed to indoor air pollution globally, with India being one of the most affected countries.
  • Despite government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the sustained use of clean fuels remains a challenge due to economic factors and cultural preferences.
    • Around 53% of Indian households still depend on solid fuels for part or all of their cooking needs.
    • The practice of using solid fuels alongside LPG, known as fuel stacking, leads to ongoing exposure to harmful household air pollution (HAP), even for those with access to LPG connections.
• Climate Change Exacerbating Air Quality Issues: Climate change is increasingly recognized as a factor exacerbating air pollution in India.
  • The 2023 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlighted that rising temperatures and changing weather patterns in South Asia are likely to increase the frequency and intensity of air pollution episodes.
  • For instance, the unusual rainfall patterns in October 2023 in North India led to prolonged periods of stagnant air, trapping pollutants and worsening air quality.
  • The interplay between climate change and air pollution creates a vicious cycle, where each exacerbates the other, making it crucial to address both issues simultaneously for effective long-term solutions.

What are the Key Steps Taken by the Government for Air Quality Improvement?

• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Launched in January 2019, the NCAP aims to improve air quality in 131 non-attainment and million-plus cities by reducing PM10 levels by 40% by 2025-26.
  • Public grievance systems, emergency response mechanisms, and other measures have been implemented, showing improvements in 88 out of 131 cities as of FY 2022-23.
• Control of Vehicular Emissions: The government has implemented BS-VI fuel standards nationwide and introduced BS VI-compliant vehicles since April 2020.
  • Schemes like FAME-II promote electric vehicles, while SATAT supports biogas production.
  • New expressways and highways divert non-destined traffic from major cities to reduce vehicular emissions.
• Control of Industrial Emissions: New standards for SO2 and NOx emissions in thermal power plants have been enforced.
  • Pet coke and furnace oil are banned in NCR states, and industrial units are shifting to cleaner fuels like PNG or biomass.
  • Emission standards for 56 industrial sectors have been notified, and online continuous emission monitoring systems (OCEMS) are mandated for high-polluting industries.
• Measures to Control Stubble Burning: Subsidies are provided for crop residue management machinery to prevent stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Financial assistance has been offered to set up pelletization and torrefaction plants to utilize paddy straw.
  • Monitoring by CPCB and enforcement by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) help prevent stubble burning incidents during harvest seasons.
• Air Quality Monitoring and Network: The National Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched in 2015, with over 1,400 air quality monitoring stations set up across the country.
  • Data is disseminated through bulletins, and air quality forecasts are made available, especially for Delhi-NCR. The Central Control Room provides real-time tracking of air quality data and hotspots.
• Control of MSW and Construction Waste: Guidelines for managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste have been issued, and directions were provided for deploying anti-smog guns at large construction sites.
  • Efforts to manage municipal solid waste (MSW) include bioremediation of legacy waste and preventing fires at landfill sites, contributing to overall air quality improvement.
• Regulatory Actions and Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): CPCB has implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to address air pollution based on AQI categories.
  • Revised versions of GRAP, effective from 2022, include measures like restricting DG set usage, shifting industries to cleaner fuels, and imposing dust control measures.
  • These policies help in curbing air pollution in the NCR region.

What Measures can be Adopted to Enhance Air Quality Management in India?

• Implement Stringent Industrial Emission Controls: India can adopt more stringent industrial emission norms, similar to China's coal-fired pollution control measures.
  • For instance, mandating the installation of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) units in all coal-based power plants, as per the latest Central Electricity Authority directive, could significantly reduce SO2 emissions.
  • Implementing a nation-wide emissions trading scheme, like the one piloted in Gujarat, could incentivize industries to adopt cleaner technologies.
    • This approach, combined with real-time emission monitoring systems linked directly to pollution control boards, can ensure better compliance and reduce industrial pollution effectively.
• Accelerate Transition to Clean Energy: Rapidly scaling up renewable energy adoption is crucial for improving air quality.
  • India's target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 is a step in the right direction. The recent success of the Solar Parks scheme demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale clean energy projects.
  • Encouraging rooftop solar installations through simplified regulations and incentives, as seen in Gujarat's Suryashakti Kisan Yojana can further accelerate this transition.
  • Additionally, promoting energy storage solutions and green hydrogen production can address intermittency issues and enable deeper penetration of renewables.
• Enhance Urban Green Cover and Vertical Forests: Taking inspiration from China's vertical forest in Nanjing, Indian cities can adopt similar green infrastructure projects.
  • For example, Mumbai's recent initiative to create urban forests in Aarey Colony is a step in this direction.
  • Implementing mandatory green building codes that incorporate vertical gardens and rooftop plantations, as seen in Singapore's Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme, could significantly increase urban green cover.
  • Cities like Bengaluru, can focus on creating mini-forests using the Miyawaki technique, which has shown success in creating dense urban forests in small areas, enhancing air purification capacity in cities.
• Revolutionize Urban Transportation: India needs to prioritize sustainable urban mobility to combat vehicular emissions.
  • The successful implementation of Delhi's electric vehicle policy can be replicated in other cities.
  • Expanding and improving public transport infrastructure, like Kochi's water metro system launched in 2023, can provide efficient alternatives to private vehicles.
  • Implementing congestion pricing in major cities, similar to London's Ultra Low Emission Zone, can discourage private vehicle use in high-pollution areas.
    • Additionally, creating extensive networks of dedicated bicycle lanes and pedestrian zones, as seen in Copenhagen, can promote non-motorized transport options.
• Adopt Advanced Air Quality Monitoring and Management Systems: Implementing a comprehensive, real-time air quality monitoring network across India is crucial.
  • The recent expansion of the Central Pollution Control Board's network to 804 monitoring stations in 344 cities is a positive step, but more granular data is needed.
  • Integrating low-cost sensor networks, satellite data, and AI-powered forecasting models can provide more accurate and localized air quality information.
  • Implementing a national-level air quality data platform, similar to China's Blue Map app, can increase public awareness and participation in air quality management.
  • Pi Green Innovations, a Pune-based green tech company, provides retrofit systems for vehicles and diesel generators to reduce carbon emissions and is a solution partner for UNDP’s ‘Clear Air Initiative’ in India.
  • BreathEasy, a Delhi-based company, offers air quality testing, portable and centralized air purification solutions, and green consulting services to optimize indoor environments.

• Tackle Agricultural Emissions Through Sustainable Practices: Addressing stubble burning requires a multi-faceted approach.
  • Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue, needs to be intensified.
  • Exploring innovative solutions like bio-decomposers (PUSA Decomposer) and Palletisation, can offer a cost-effective alternative to burning.
  • Additionally, promoting crop diversification away from paddy in Punjab and Haryana, can reduce stubble generation.
  • Implementing a reward system for farmers who adopt sustainable practices, similar to the Payments for Environmental Services Program in Costa Rica, could provide economic incentives for change.
• Implement Sector-Specific Emission Reduction Strategies: Developing and implementing targeted emission reduction strategies for key polluting sectors is essential.
  • For the construction sector, which contributes significantly to particulate matter pollution, enforcing strict dust control measures as mandated by the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016, is crucial.
  • The recent initiative by the National Capital Region Planning Board to use artificial rain for dust suppression in Delhi-NCR can be explored for wider application.
  • In the brick kiln industry, promoting the shift to cleaner technologies like zig-zag kilns can be implemented
  • For the transport sector, accelerating the adoption of BS-VI fuel standards and incentivizing the scrapping of old vehicles through programs like the Vehicle Scrappage Policy launched in 2021 can significantly reduce vehicular emissions.

Conclusion

To effectively tackle India's persistent air pollution crisis, a holistic approach is essential—one that integrates long-term, science-based solutions, stringent enforcement of emission norms, and promotion of sustainable practices across industries, transportation, and agriculture. Enhanced coordination between states and a shift towards clean energy and urban green infrastructure will play a critical role. Only through proactive and comprehensive efforts can India safeguard public health and improve air quality for future generations.