Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Context
Pollution levels have reached severe in Delhi
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 18th November 2024
What are the worst polluters in Delhi NCR?
Air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) remains a critical issue. A 2021 draft report on the emission inventory, prepared by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), highlights the primary contributors to air pollution in Delhi and NCR. It underscores the need for updated inventories to develop effective air quality management plans.
What is an Emission Inventory?
- Definition: An emission inventory quantifies emissions from various sources for a specific city or region within a particular year.
- Objective: Provides crucial data for developing air quality management strategies and forecasting pollution trends.
- Context: The 2021 inventory was prepared for Delhi by TERI, commissioned by the Delhi government, focusing on internal sources of pollution but excluding external contributors.
Key Findings for Delhi
- Primary Contributors: Vehicles emerged as the largest contributors to pollutants like PM2.5 (47%, 9.6 kt/year), nitrogen oxides (NOx) (78%, 119.6 kt/year), and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) (49%, 88.02 kt/year).
- Vehicular Breakdown:
- Two-wheelers: Largest emitters of PM2.5, PM10, sulphur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).
- Three-wheelers: Major contributors to volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Buses: Highest emitters of nitrogen oxides (NOx).
- Road Dust: Contributed significantly to PM2.5 (20%, 4.09 kt/year) and PM10 emissions.
- Fuelwood Use: In slum households, fuelwood consumption contributed to 0.8 kt/year of PM2.5 and 1.1 kt/year of PM10, with LPG making smaller contributions (0.2 kt/year for both pollutants).
Pollution Profile in NCR
- Industry Dominance:
- Industries were the largest contributors to particulate matter (PM10: 41%; PM2.5: 44%).
- Power plants accounted for 46% of SO2 emissions.
- Transport Emissions:
- Dominant source of CO (97%), VOCs (58%), and NOx (66%).
- Two-wheelers contributed the most to PM2.5 (31%) and CO (51%), while buses led NOx emissions (34%).
- Stone Crushers: Significant emitters of particulate matter (PM10: 22%; PM2.5: 19%).
Historical Context of Emission Inventories
- IIT Kanpur (2013-14):
- Road Dust: Largest contributor to PM2.5 (38%) and PM10.
- Vehicles: Contributed 20% of PM2.5 and 83% of CO emissions.
- Trucks: Major emitters of PM10 and PM2.5 (46%).
- SAFAR (2018): Transport contributed 41% to PM2.5 and 76% to NOx, while dust was the largest source of PM10 (55%).
- TERI/ARAI (2016):
- Transport led PM2.5 (39%) and NOx (81%) emissions.
- Road dust dominated PM10 (35%), with coal power plants leading SO2 emissions (71%).
Significance of Emission Inventories
- Policy Development: Essential for air quality management plans and pollution mitigation measures.
- Forecasting and Decision Support:
- Supports Air Quality Early Warning Systems and Decision Support Systems for source attribution and emergency measures.
- Ensures updated data to enhance accuracy in pollution forecasts.
- International Best Practices: Inventories need regular updates, ideally every three years. In Delhi-NCR, rapid policy changes necessitate updates every 6-12 months.
Challenges
- Delays in Updating: The draft 2021 inventory was submitted only in 2023, highlighting a lag in the timely availability of data.
- Collaboration Issues: Coordination between Delhi, Haryana, UP, and Rajasthan pollution control boards remains inconsistent, delaying comprehensive inventory updates.
- Data Accuracy: Existing inventories struggle with uncertainties in pollution source attribution due to incomplete or outdated data.
- Weak Policy Implementation: Non-compliance with coal bans and other emission regulations continues to hamper progress in reducing pollution levels.
Recommendations
- Timely Updates: Mandate frequent updates to emission inventories, ideally every six months to a year, given the dynamic pollution scenario in Delhi-NCR.
- Strengthen Collaboration: Enhance inter-state cooperation among pollution control boards with clear deadlines and accountability.
- Enhanced Data Collection: Invest in continuous and real-time data collection systems to improve the accuracy of source apportionment studies.
- Policy Enforcement: Strictly monitor and enforce bans on coal use and other regulatory measures to mitigate industrial and domestic emissions effectively.
Conclusion
The 2021 emission inventory by TERI offers a detailed analysis of pollution sources in Delhi and the NCR, highlighting the significant contributions of vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and road dust. Comparative assessments with previous inventories reveal evolving pollution patterns, underscoring the necessity for updated and comprehensive emission inventories. Such data-driven insights are crucial for formulating effective air quality management strategies and mitigating pollution in the region.
Related PYQ
Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol? [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2022]
Practice Question
Air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) is a persistent problem despite various regulatory measures. Discuss the major challenges in controlling air pollution in NCR and suggest effective recommendations to tackle them. [250 words]
Guidelines for Answering the Question
- Introduction:
- Begin by highlighting the severity of air pollution in NCR, referencing its impact on health and environment.
- Mention the role of emission inventories in understanding and addressing the problem.
- Body:
- List and describe key challenges, such as delays in data updates, coordination issues, outdated regulations, and weak enforcement mechanisms.
- Reference specific contributors like vehicular emissions, road dust, and industrial pollutants.
- Suggest actionable steps, including timely updates to inventories, enhanced collaboration, improved enforcement, and investment in real-time monitoring systems.
- Highlight innovative solutions like incentivizing clean energy and optimizing transport networks.
- Conclusion:
- Conclude by emphasizing the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, combining strong governance with public participation, to mitigate air pollution sustainably.