Has Delhi’s Pollution Slashed Life by 12 Years?

Dr.Akshay Budhraja, 3 mins read

India’s capital has now turned out to be the capital of pollution. The pollution level is so severe that it has become a public health emergency.

The city's air quality has deteriorated to alarming levels, with particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations far exceeding the safe limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is just 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

Breathing in Delhi is just like smelling the poison slowly. According to the latest Air Quality Index 2024 report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, Delhi's air pollution is estimated to slash life expectancy by nearly 11.9 years.

The report further reveals that India's 1.3 billion people live in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds the WHO safe limit of 5µg/m. Even 67.4% of people live in an area that exceeds the country’s own national air quality index of 40 µg/m3.

This is a staggering figure, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to mitigate the city's pollution crisis. This guide will discuss the factors responsible for Delhi’s pollution and tips to fight against this.

Factors Contributing to Delhi's Pollution

Vehicular Emissions: The city's growing population and increasing number of vehicles on the road have significantly increased vehicular emissions.

Industrial Pollution: Factories in or at the periphery of Delhi are also the prime contributors for the release of large amounts of pollutants into the air.

Agricultural Burning: The practice of burning crop residues in neighbouring states of Delhi, especially at the start of the winter season, rapidly accelerates the pollution level to the alarming level of 400+ AQI.

Construction Activities: The city's rapid urbanization and construction activities without proper measures generate massive amounts of dust and pollutants, which add to the hazardous level of pollution in the city.

Mitigating Delhi's Pollution Crisis

Pollution is not a thing that we can alone fight with. It needs continuous efforts from everyone, including government and regulatory bodies, to implement effective solutions. Some measures that can be taken include:

Using Public Transportation: Delhi is one of the best cities in terms of transportation network, having options like Metro, intrastate buses, and sharing vehicles. Using these vehicles instead of your personal one will not only reduce pollution but will also reduce traffic and transportation costs.

Increasing Green Cover: Planting more trees and increasing the city's green cover can help absorb pollutants and improve air quality.

Implementing Emission Controls: Strict emission controls must be implemented for industries and vehicles to reduce pollutant emissions. The odd and even system for vehicles should be implemented. Plus, there should be more focus on using electric and CNG vehicles. Additionally, everyone should get their vehicle’s pollution checked periodically.

Promoting Sustainable Practices: Encouraging sustainable practices, such as reducing energy consumption and waste generation, can also help mitigate the pollution crisis. Also, stopping or rigorously monitoring construction activities during peak pollution levels can help.

Periodic Health Checkup: It’s a good idea to get periodic health checkups. As pollution can silently affect your health, periodic health check ups will help you diagnose and identify any problem early.