Why India's Air is So Deadly (And Getting Worse!) | Dhruv Rathee

False Safety in Air Quality Ratings The narrative exposes a misleading contrast between Indian air quality labels and stricter international standards. It highlights that air deemed 'moderate' in India is classified as 'extremely poor' under European guidelines. Tiny PM2.5 particles infiltrate the lungs and bloodstream, heightening risks of heart problems and strokes, with children being particularly vulnerable. Despite the onset of summer, toxic levels persist, defying popular beliefs about seasonal air cleanliness.

Unexpected Epicenter in a Green Landscape A startling revelation names a small city in Northeastern India, Byrnihat, as the world’s most polluted. This discovery challenges assumptions that severe pollution is confined to metropolises like Delhi. Analysis of a comprehensive ranking of nearly 9,000 cities exposes that many Indian cities suffer from alarmingly high pollution levels. The data underline that air pollution in India is a pervasive, year-round crisis reaching every corner of the country.

Nationwide Health Crisis from Normalized Toxicity Measurements show India’s average PM2.5 levels far exceed safe limits set by both WHO and European standards. Even readings labeled as moderate by Indian criteria hide the real danger, as violent differences in health risks emerge from global guidelines. The evidence reveals a public normalization of toxic air, with local standards understating the severity. In cities like Delhi, not a single day in 2024 reached the 'good air' benchmark, emphasizing a broad and persistent health threat.

Microscopic Particles, Massive Health Risks Particulate Matter is divided into PM10, PM2.5, and PM0.1, with the smallest particles capable of evading natural defenses and penetrating deep into the lungs and bloodstream. Larger particles get trapped in the nose and throat, while the finer ones trigger inflammation, respiratory diseases, heart attacks, strokes, and even neurological issues. Research shows that chronic exposure to these tiny pollutants can significantly shorten life expectancy.

Insurance as a Lifeline Against Pollution’s Costs Rising air pollution not only jeopardizes health but also leads to astronomical treatment expenses that can deplete a family’s savings. The financial burden from conditions like lung infections and heart disease can escalate into millions, making comprehensive insurance essential. Affordable health and term insurance plans offer crucial protection, ensuring that families are prepared for unexpected medical emergencies induced by pollution.

North India's winter thermal inversion traps particulate matter near the ground, significantly worsening air quality. The Himalayas block airflow, creating a valley effect that further concentrates pollutants, a phenomenon also observed in Northern Italy. South India's coastal geography, with seas on three sides, promotes enhanced air circulation and dispersal of pollutants. Despite this advantage, even southern cities face levels of pollution that exceed safe guidelines.

Vehicular Emissions and Regulatory Measures Vehicle emissions have pushed air quality far beyond safe limits in major Indian cities, with nearly half of Delhi’s PM2.5 coming from traffic. Registered vehicles have soared from 3 million in 1998 to over 12 million by 2019, intensifying the pollution crisis. Emission standards like BS6 have significantly lowered pollutant limits through advanced technology while older vehicles face bans on the roads. Plans for even stricter standards signal ongoing efforts to curb the escalating vehicular pollution.

Urban Car Dependency and the Imperative for Public Transit Expanding roads and highways have inadvertently deepened car dependency, leaving less room for pedestrians and public transport. Cities like Mumbai have seen a sharp rise in vehicular pollution, while traffic congestion has made urban travel increasingly inefficient. The nation’s public transit investment remains critically low, with only 1.2 buses per 1,000 people compared to much higher figures elsewhere. Without immediate improvements in metro, bus, train, and tram services, the rising trend in private vehicle use is set to worsen air quality over the next decade.

The movement of vehicles on unpaved roads releases a considerable amount of dust that combines with emissions, significantly increasing PM2.5 levels. In major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, this dust accounts for approximately 23% to 26% of the pollution. Dry winter conditions, heavy traffic, and ongoing infrastructure projects worsen the haze in urban areas. Temporary solutions such as water sprays provide short-term relief, but long-term improvement relies on proper paving, well-designed footpaths, and green belts.

Construction sites generate significant dust pollution by releasing materials like cement and sand into the atmosphere, contributing to up to 30% of urban air pollution. Major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai experience measurable impacts from these emissions, with construction accounting for notable portions of PM2.5 and overall particulate matter. Weak enforcement of regulations, including requirements for dust barriers and properly covered and cleaned trucks, allows these harmful practices to persist. Temporary bans during severe pollution episodes serve as short-term fixes rather than addressing the underlying regulatory failures.

Stubble Burning Fuels Air Pollution Amid Economic Pressures Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh burn leftover crop husks during winter, leading to significant, sometimes peak, contributions to air pollution. Although stubble burning accounts for only about 10.6% of pollution over several months, its impact can spike to 35% on a single day. Strict regulations under the Air Act exist, yet the fines are less burdensome than the immediate costs of clearing stubble. The simple, cost-effective practice has become a default method to quickly prepare fields for winter crops.

Green Revolution Legacies and Economic Constraints Driving Burning Practices The Green Revolution’s focus on producing wheat and rice transformed Punjab’s agriculture, triggering severe groundwater depletion due to water-intensive rice farming. In response, the Punjab government imposed seasonal restrictions in 2009, delaying rice harvest and compressing the time available for field preparation. With limited time and affordable alternatives out of reach, burning becomes the quickest residue clearance method. Insufficient funding under the Crop Residue Management Programme further leaves farmers with few choices to adopt sustainable practices.

Industrial Emissions and Regional Gaps in Pollution Control Industrial sectors such as chemicals, textiles, cement, steel, refineries, and power plants emit hazardous pollutants including PM2.5, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, contributing significantly to urban air pollution. Data show that industrial emissions account for 15-18% of Delhi’s air issues, 24.5% in Kolkata, 18% in Mumbai, and 20.2% in Chennai. While Delhi has closed all its thermal power stations and invested in renewable energy, surrounding areas like Gurgaon, Meerut, Noida, and Faridabad continue to worsen the regional air quality. These circumstances highlight that local measures alone are inadequate, and a unified national regulatory framework is essential.

Inefficient Allocation and Flawed Focus in National Air Quality Initiatives The National Clean Air Programme, launched to improve air quality in 131 cities, has struggled with inefficient fund utilization and misguided priorities. Out of ₹105.66 billion allocated, only 64% was spent, with 67% going to temporary dust control measures instead of sustainable pollution reduction. Merely 14% targeted biomass burning and 12% addressed vehicular pollution, while a negligible 0.61% was dedicated to curbing industrial emissions. As a result, only 31% of the cities experienced pollution reduction, with many recording increases, underscoring the need to refocus efforts on the more hazardous PM2.5 particles.

Politicians and media focus on superficial controversies and divisive religious issues, overlooking the severe impact of air pollution. A lack of genuine political will, fueled by indifferent voters, allows trivial matters to dominate discourse. This diversion prevents meaningful action on environmental hazards that affect everyone indiscriminately.

Air pollution not only jeopardizes health but also undermines India's economic stability. The World Bank report from 2024 highlights an annual loss of $36.8 billion, equivalent to 1.36% of the nation's GDP. Analysis indicates that a pollution-free environment could have boosted the economy by approximately $95 billion by 2019, underscoring the long-term impact on future prosperity.

Diverse urban centers face unique pollution challenges from vehicles, industrial emissions, construction dust, and stubble burning, necessitating tailored approaches. A strategic redirection of funds from highway projects to large-scale public transport improvements forms a key solution, coupled with phasing out vehicles older than 15 years to curb emissions. Regulating construction sites, mitigating road dust through infrastructural fixes, and providing farmers with technology to stop stubble burning further address specific local sources. Enforcing strict emissions standards for industries and raising public awareness create a comprehensive roadmap to achieve substantial improvements in air quality.