On Monday morning, two cities in India, in addition to New Delhi, found themselves listed among the world’s top 10 most polluted cities. The air was laden with heavy smoke, a lingering consequence of the festive celebrations for Diwali festival.
According to Swiss group IQAir, which monitors air quality around the world, three Indian cities – Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai – were among the world’s top 10 most polluted cities on Monday, November 13, 2023. Delhi ranked first with an air quality index (AQI) of 274 as of 17:00 according to the Indian Standard Time (IST), putting it in the “hazardous” category. Kolkata is fourth with an AQI of 153, followed by Mumbai in sixth place with an AQI of 151.
An AQI level of 400-500 impacts healthy people and is dangerous to those with existing diseases, while a level of 151-200 brings discomfort to people with asthma, lung and heart problems. Levels of 0-50 are considered good.
Image Source : Swiss group IQAir
Saket Gokhale, MP, Rajya Sabha, wrote to Joint Commissioner (HQ), Delhi Police on 13th November 2023, seeking information on firecracker cases post-Diwali. Despite the Supreme Court’s ban, fireworks were rampant on Diwali, causing hazardous pollution. Gokhale requests details on cases, seized items, and illegal sales, emphasising the urgency of this matter for public welfare.
Challenges Mount as South Asia Grapples with Annual Air Pollution Woes
The annual issue of escalating air pollution poses a significant challenge for South Asian nations as winter approaches, bringing with it cold, heavy air that traps pollution in a dense layer of smog. This toxic air quality is severely impacting the daily lives of millions across South Asia, leading to school closures, disruptions in sporting events, and governmental advisories urging people to stay indoors to avoid health complications.
South Asia has emerged as a global epicentre for air pollution, with studies revealing that four of the world’s most polluted countries and nine of the 10 most polluted cities are located in this region. The past two decades have witnessed a substantial surge in industrialization, economic development, and population growth in South Asian countries, resulting in heightened energy demand and increased reliance on fossil fuels.
While common sources like industries and vehicles contribute to pollution in most countries, South Asia faces unique challenges, including solid fuel combustion for cooking and heating, human cremation, and the burning of agricultural waste. Notably, stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana has been a significant contributor, accounting for about 38% of the pollution in New Delhi this year.
The rise in vehicular traffic, a consequence of the region’s development, has further exacerbated the pollution problem. In countries like India and Pakistan, the number of vehicles has quadrupled since the early 2000s. According to government data, New Delhi, consistently ranked as the world’s most polluted capital by Swiss Group IQAir for four consecutive years, has 472 vehicles per thousand population, with nearly eight million vehicles navigating its roads as of 2022.
India Ranks Second in Global Pollution Index Among 252 Nations
Image Source : The Air Quality Life Index
India, the world’s second most polluted country, faces a critical environmental challenge. The presence of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) significantly impacts the average life expectancy of Indians, shortening it by 5.3 years compared to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended guideline of 5 µg/m3. Disturbingly, certain regions within India experience even more severe consequences, with air pollution in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, recognized as the world’s most polluted city, reducing life expectancy by a staggering 11.9 years.
The entirety of India’s 1.3 billion population resides in areas where annual average particulate pollution levels surpass the WHO guideline. Moreover, a substantial 67.4 percent of the population inhabits regions exceeding the country’s own national air quality standard of 40 µg/m3. Particulate pollution emerges as the foremost threat to human health in India, deducting 5.3 years from the life of the average Indian. To provide context, cardiovascular diseases reduce life expectancy by approximately 4.5 years, and child and maternal malnutrition further diminish it by 1.8 years.
Troublingly, particulate pollution exhibits an upward trend. Between 1998 and 2021, average annual particulate pollution increased by 67.7 percent, resulting in an additional reduction of average life expectancy by 2.3 years. Notably, from 2013 to 2021, 59.1 percent of the global increase in pollution emanated from India. In the Northern Plains, the most polluted region in the country, 38.9 percent of India’s population, totaling 521.2 million residents, are projected to lose 8 years of life expectancy relative to the WHO guideline and 4.5 years relative to the national standard if current pollution levels persist.
However, there is hope for improvement. If India successfully reduces particulate pollution to meet the WHO guideline, residents in Delhi, the capital and most populous city, could gain a remarkable 11.9 years of life expectancy. Similarly, in North 24 Parganas, the country’s second most populous district, residents stand to gain 5.6 years of life expectancy. Urgent and comprehensive measures are imperative to address this critical public health issue and safeguard the well-being of the Indian population.