In News:

India remains among the world’s most polluted countries despite slight improvements in air quality.

Published by: IQAir (Swiss Air Quality Technology Firm)

Key Findings:

• India’s Global Rank: 5th most polluted country in 2024 (improved from 3rd in 2023).
• Average PM2.5 Level (India): 50.6 µg/m³ in 2024 — 10 times higher than the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.
• Top Polluted Cities:
  • Byrnihat (Assam-Meghalaya border) — most polluted city globally with PM2.5 at 128.2 µg/m³.
  • Delhi — most polluted capital city globally with PM2.5 at 91.6 µg/m³.
  • 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India, including Mullanpur, Faridabad, Gurugram, Bhiwadi, Noida, and Ganganagar.
• Northern India: Faces severe pollution due to crop stubble burning (contributes ~60% of PM2.5 levels).
• Global Air Quality: 91% of countries exceeded WHO PM2.5 safe limits; only 12 countries met the recommended levels.

Major Sources of PM2.5 Pollution:

• Vehicular emissions
• Industrial discharges
• Biomass burning (e.g., firewood, crop residue)

Health & Environmental Impact:

• Health: Linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancers; reduces life expectancy by ~5.2 years in India.
• Annual Death Toll: ~1.5 million deaths in India linked to PM2.5 exposure (2009–2019, Lancet Study).
• WHO: 99% of the world’s population breathes polluted air.

India’s Measures to Combat Air Pollution:

Initiative                                                                                     Description

NCAP (2019)        -        Aims to reduce PM levels by 20–30% in non-attainment cities by

                                       2026. Focuses on monitoring, emissions control, public awareness.

BS-VI Emission Standards    -     Implemented in 2020 for vehicles to reduce vehicular pollution.

FAME Scheme      -      Promotes electric and hybrid vehicles to cut down transport-related emissions.

PM Ujjwala Yojana        -           Provides LPG connections to reduce indoor air pollution from biomass.

GRIHA         -       Encourages eco-friendly construction practices.

GRAP            -       Emergency action plan in Delhi-NCR during high pollution episodes.

Commission for Air Quality Management   -   Coordinates air quality actions across NCR and

                                                                                      nearby areas.

Public Transport & Regulation    -     Expanding metro/bus networks, penalising high-emission vehicles.

Way Forward:

• Strengthen enforcement of emission norms for vehicles and industries.
• Promote LPG usage over biomass for cooking, especially among rural poor.
• Increase public transport options and incentivise clean technologies.
• Raise awareness and improve inter-state coordination on stubble burning.