Delhiites have been breathing toxic air for years now. The annual concentration of the deadly PM2.5, which is particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, is more than twice the safe level. While the government does recognise the problem and action plans have been created, is it enough?

'Don't focus on one thing'

An analysis of the pollution control action plans shows that the Centre and the Delhi Government have focused their attention on vehicular pollution. Last week, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) raised a similar concern. “Why do not you [Delhi government] emphasise on the issues of dust and waste burning in a way you have emphasised on Odd-Even,” it asked.

The NGT was right. The much talked about Odd-Even scheme was aimed at halving the toxic emissions from cars, which are estimated to emit 2 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution, as per a source apportionment study by the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur.

Other culprits

But other sources which contribute a similar proportion – solid waste burning (3 per cent), hotel and restaurants (3 per cent), construction and demolition waste (2 per cent) and diesel generator sets (2 per cent) – have got far less attention or none at all.

“The kind of awareness that was created about pollution from transportation during the Odd-Even initiative should be created for all other sources. People don’t see industries and power plants every day, so it is easy to gloss over. But, they are a major source,” said Sunil Dahiya, a campaigner with Greenpeace.

“Instead of targeting smaller sources, the government should address industrial and thermal power plants across the National Capital Region. This will lead to a dip in pollution,” said Mr. Dahiya.

Priority concerns

But, vehicles do deserve the attention they are getting. Vehicular emissions, contributing to 20 per cent of particulate matter, are one of the most consistent sources of pollution throughout the year, as per the IIT-Kanpur report. The Odd-Even scheme happens to be just one of the many steps.

Vehicular emissions don’t just add to the overall pollutant concentration (ambient air quality), but lead to direct exposure that is even more crucial from a health perspective. And, according to a Union Health Ministry report in August 2015, “the highest immediate priority has to be accorded to sources that lead to the greatest levels of exposure and adverse health impacts”.

But, little has been done for two other sources that also lead to direct exposure – domestic cooking and solid waste burning.

Garbage burning, chulhas

AnumitaRoychowdhury, the head of the Centre for Science and Environment’s clear air programme, said that though there was an NGT-ordered ban on burning of leaves and garbage, and a Rs.5,000 fine it wasn’t enough.

“The enforcement can’t be just symptomatic. There is a need for strengthening the waste management system. Civic bodies need to scale up efforts to compost, recycle, segregate and process waste,” she said.

Domestic cooking, which contributes to 12 per cent of particulate matter in the city, finds no place in the government’s action plan. Though the city has been declared ‘kerosene-free’, 10 per cent of households still burn wood, crop residue, cow dung, and coal for cooking.

“An energy transition plan should be in place. LPG connections were given to only those with legal status, leaving out residents of slums and unauthorised colonies,” said Ms. Roychowdhury.

As for MSW, a study by Nagpure et al found that 2 to 3 per cent of all garbage generated is burnt every day, mostly in winters for heating and in low-income areas that lack proper solid waste management. Though Delhi has started working on the solution, that is waste-to-energy plants, there have been hitches. Three WTE plants were planned, two are functional, and one, at Okhla, faced locals’ criticism for allegedly polluting.

The government’s plan seems to given concrete batching plants and hotels and restaurants, which together account for 9 per cent of pollutants, a miss.

Small steps

But, steps are being taken to rein in dust pollution, which is 38 per cent of the total. The Delhi government has started vacuum cleaning of roads owned by the Public Works Department. Also the government inspects construction projects and fines defaulters in order to control dust.

The pollution sources show that controlling emission is not a standalone problem, but interlinked with other urban issues. Access to clean energy for cooking, regular power supply, better solid waste management, and enhanced public transport will help reduce pollution, and improve quality of life.