A Comparative Study of Air Quality in Delhi and Gurgaon
- By Ananya Mathur
(BCH/24/23)
Introduction
An Air Quality Index (AQI) is a number used by government agencies to measure air
pollution levels and communicate them to the population. As the AQI increases, it
means that a large percentage of the population will experience severe adverse
health effects. The measurement of the AQI requires an air monitor and an air
pollutant concentration over a specified averaging period. The results are grouped
into ranges, and each range is assigned a descriptor, a colour code, and a
standardized public health advisory.
The pollution sources in India – and in most Asian countries – are numerous and
incompletely understood. In Delhi, for example, it comes mostly from light and
heavy-duty vehicle traffic emissions, road dust, solid fuel combustion for heating and
cooking, biomass, waste burning, thermal power plants, diesel generators,
construction, and small-scale local industries. That’s why each country has to have
its own AQI values.
The National Air Quality Index Standard (NAQI) in India was launched by The
Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change in 2014. The National Air
Monitoring Program(NAMP), which covers 240 cities in the country, has been
operated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and developed by the Indian
Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT),providing data in the public domain, on a
real-time basis (Figure below).
The objective of today’s practical is to map the air quality of different sites in Delhi
over a period of 12 months (December 2022-December 2023).
The average AQI levels of Delhi and Gurgaon for December 2022 were 368 and 322
respectively.
This is the schedule comparison of Delhi and Gurgaon of 4th December 2023
Delhi Gurgaon
From the above data, we can make the graph below:
Analysis of AQI Data
Delhi and Gurgaon have notable seasonal variations in AQI levels for the period under
review.
1. Winter Season:
Delhi and Gurgaon experience extremely high AQI levels during winter, from November to
January. Causes for this include stubble burning in bordering states, low temperatures, and
stagnant air-holding pollutants. Delhi recorded its highest AQI level in November 2023,
scoring 382 in the "Hazardous" category, while Gurgaon reached 271, which is marginally
better but still very poor. High AQI levels were also reported in December 2022 (Delhi: 368,
Gurgaon: 305), showing a trend of downward seasonal air quality.
2. Spring and Early Summer (March to May):
A significant improvement is observed in AQI levels in this period as AQI dropped to 127 in
March and then to 88 in May. Gurgaon follows, with an AQI of 103 in March and 105 in May.
The justifications for the drop in pollution levels in these months are due to increased wind
activity in conjunction with stubble-burning absence.
3. Monsoon (June to September):
The monsoon is indeed a relief as it helps to wash the particulate matter suspended in the
air. Delhi's AQI was at its lowest during the month of July (79), while Gurgaon recorded an
AQI of 68 - the cleanest time during the year. However, Delhi and Gurgaon recorded
increases in the AQI again in August and September (119 and 153, 131 and 181,
respectively), marking the closure of the positive effect of the monsoon.
4. Post-Monsoon and Autumn (October to November):
This period was marked by an explosion in AQI levels as they increased rapidly. For
instance, the AQI of Delhi reached 253 in October and suddenly shot up to 382 in
November. Gurgaon also recorded 214 in October and 271 in November. The post-monsoon
peak is due to stubble burning, vehicular emissions and industrial emissions.
Reasons for the increase in pollution
1. Vehicle Emissions: Pollution from overwhelmingly high vehicular population density
in Delhi and Gurgaon has worsened the existing air pollution problems. Coupled with
this were inefficient emission standards, and outdated engines, which further
compound the problem with high levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate
matter (PM) emitted into the atmosphere.
2. Industrial Pollution: Because Gurgaon is an industrial city, it houses many factories
that emit toxic pollutants. Within Delhi, the delinquent industries-including but not
limited to brick kilns-continue adding to the existing high value of PM
3. Stubble burning: Seasonal crop stubble burning from adjoining states like Punjab
and Haryana leads to very sharp spikes in pollution levels, especially in winter. This
process affects both Delhi and Gurgaon heavily.
4. Construction Dust: Rapid urbanization in Gurgaon and ongoing infrastructure
development in Delhi cause the particulate release from construction thereby
adversely affecting the air.
5. Limited Monitoring and Regulation: While pollution control boards exist, real-time,
actionable air quality data remain limited even in the presence of these boards. This
limitation hampers effective intervention. Such access to the public would therefore
not only convince them regarding public health issues but also help in strengthening
the efforts to control pollution further.
6. Climatic Factors: By virtue of low wind speed and temperature inversions
associated with winter in North India, pollutants are trapped at a lower height near
the ground, and, hence, the air quality becomes very undesirable.
Impacts
1. Health Effects
Air pollution in Delhi and Gurgaon causes major impacts on human health. PM2.5
and NO₂ are considered to be at dangerous levels in relation to human health,
leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Exposure to these pollutants over
time has been known to lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
asthma, lung cancer, and even premature deaths. These populations include children
and the elderly. Some very recent studies have reported a correlation between
children's exposure to these pollutants and the onset of asthma in them..
2. Environmental Effects
Pollution is highly effective on the environment by promoting the greenhouse effect
and climatic change. Higher CO₂ and methane due to vehicle and industrial
emissions have risen global warming. Particulate matter is harmful to vegetation as it
inhibits photosynthesis due to blocked sunlight and soils and waters are
contaminated when particles settle down.
3. Economic Impacts
Air pollution also has serious economic costs for these cities. Healthcare, including
that related to the illnesses from the pollution and lost productivity due to health
concerns, places a big tax on the economy. Tourism is also lost out as air pollution
deters visitors. In addition, the technology and other renewable energy are expensive
to implement in terms of the investment.
4. Social Implications
Social inequalities increase because pollution hurts the lower-income group living in
the immediate surroundings of industries or highways more than others. The
vulnerable groups are, therefore, exposed to increased levels of poor access to
health facilities, which can be argued as environmental injustices.
Remedies to Reduce Air Pollution in Delhi and Gurgaon
Based on the data and trends observed, several effective remedies can be implemented to
address air pollution in Delhi and Gurgaon. These measures focus on both reducing
pollution sources and mitigating its impact:
1. Improving Public Transport
- Invest in sustainable public transport systems, such as electric buses and metro
expansions, to reduce vehicular emissions.
- Encourage carpooling, cycling, and walking to reduce dependence on personal
vehicles.
2. Industrial Regulations Strengthening
- Apply stricter emission standards for the factories, especially in Gurgaon, and
monitor for compliance.
- Shift to cleaner energy sources such as solar and wind power for industrial activities.
3. Reducing Stubble Burning
- Offer subsidies and technological alternatives, such as bio-decomposers and
mechanized solutions, for crop residue management to farmers.
- Educate farmers on environmental and health impacts caused by burning stubble.
4. Control of Dust from Construction Sites
- Strict dust control measures at the construction sites should be implemented using
water sprinklers and covers on materials.
- Penalize erring construction projects so that those projects are put in order.
5. Switch to Renewable Energy Sources
- Increase use of solar and wind power. End reliance on coal-burning power plants.
- Provide incentives for residential and commercial building rooftop solar panel
installations.
6. Promotion of Electric Vehicles
- Set up EV charging stations and offer subsidies to promote them.
- Incentivize the auto industries to innovate and manufacture low-cost EVs.
7. Community-Level Initiatives
- Promote public action in reducing burning of waste, saving energy, and not using
diesel generators.
- Mobilize citizens to participate in tree plantation drives and indoor air purifiers during
periods of high pollution.
8. Policy and Governance
- Strengthen inter-state cooperation to deal with the common sources of pollution,
such as stubble burning.
- Establish real-time air quality monitoring systems and make the data publicly
available so that people can hold them accountable.
Conclusion
A clear comparison of the air quality between Delhi and Gurgaon paints a disturbing picture
of the situation with regard to the environmental degradation that is increasingly becoming
practically unbearable in the two cities. It has been recorded that stubble burning, vehicle
emissions, and harsh weather conditions contribute to high AQI especially during winter
months, November and December, the most. The harsh weather gradually recedes with the
onset of the monsoons, although the months after seeing an increase in pollution due to a
rise in construction activities, industry operations and crop residue burning.
These two cities suffer from unimaginable consequences on their health, environment,
economy and society owing to their poor air quality. Several health effects are in the form of
respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and cancers as well. As for the environment, these
include loss in biodiversity and worsening climatic conditions. Increased medical, loss of
productivity, and decreased tourism are some of the economic consequences. Socially,
marginalized communities are hit the hardest and thus when designing any policies the
entire society should be kept in mind.
The promotion of public transport, the use of renewable energy and restriction of industries
and construction are some of the strategies that can help. It is the responsibility of the
governments and the people that the air stays pollution free.
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