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Severe Air Pollution Crisis in 44% Cities of India, Including Delhi

Only 4% cities under purview of ‘National Clean Air Programme’

New Delhi – ‘The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) assessed PM2.5 standard of  4041 cities using satellite data and has stated in its report that out of 4041, at least 1,787 cities i.e. nearly 44%, exceeded the national annual PM2.5 standard. (In the context of air pollution, PM stands for Particulate Matter, which is a complex mixture of extremely small solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. 2.5 micron or even less than that is their diameter ) The research in air pollution revealed that about 44% cities are facing chronic air pollution. Some of the cities in the list are Gurugram (Haryana), Greater NOIDA, Muzaffarnagar, Hapur (Uttar Pradesh), Bhiwadi (Rajasthan) and Hajipur (Bihar). Out of the 44% cities, only 4% cities are covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

Byrnihat (Assam-Meghalaya border), Delhi, and Ghaziabad the most polluted cities in the country   

The research has further exposed that Byrnihat (Along the inter-state border of Assam and Meghalaya), Delhi and Ghaziabad are the most polluted cities in India. These cities face air pollution problem throughout the year. The main causes of pollution are vehicle and factories’ emissions. During 2019 to 2024, in at least 1787 cities, the annual PM2.5 level was higher than the standard. The data of COVID affected year 2020 was, however, not included.

NCAP list covers only a fraction of the most polluted cities

In 2019, the Union Government took up NCAP programme to reduce pollution; but after seven years, only 130 cities are brought under the aegis of this programme. Out of these, only 67 cities overlap with the 1787 persistently non-attainment cities where pollution always exceeds the standard every year. Thus, NCAP is reaching only 4% of India’s chronically polluted cities and most of the cities are not included under NCAP. Among the listed cities, 28 cities still don’t have centres to measure quality of the air. Among the 102 cities where such centres are there, in 100 cities, PM level is recorded 80% or more.

Most of the money spent in reducing dust on roads

Under NCAP and 15-Financial Commission, Rs 13,415 crores have been allocated to reduce the pollution; out of which, 74% i.e. Rs 9, 929 crores have been spent. Most of the funds are spent on removing dust on roads (68%), traffic (14%), and burning garbage/grass (12%). Less than 1% has been spent on the usage of domestic fuel, vigilance and maintenance.

Editorial Perspective

What is the use of development if it cannot provide basic needs like clean water, air and food ? It is actually the result of progress in science. Such science will lead to destruction of the earth.

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