Synopsis
New Delhi is once again facing a pollution crisis as thick smog engulfs the city every winter. While the government has introduced new measures, experts question whether these efforts will be enough to tackle the persistent air quality issues throughout the year.Key Takeaways
- Delhi's air pollution crisis is an annual occurrence.
- Current measures are often reactive rather than proactive.
- Significant vehicle emissions contribute to the pollution problem.
- New policies aim to tighten emission checks for out-of-state vehicles.
- Collaboration with neighboring states is vital for effective pollution management.
New Delhi: Each winter, Delhi grabs attention for all the wrong motives. A dense blanket of smog envelops the metropolis, pollution rates soar, and air quality plunges into hazardous territory. This annual crisis reemerges, and while the government responds during these critical months, the pressing question persists: are we doing enough, and crucially, are we taking action throughout the year?
Experts and environmental advocates have long criticized Delhi’s strategy towards air pollution as predominantly reactive. Most initiatives kick off only when the air quality becomes dire—typically between October and November—rather than being part of a sustained, year-long plan.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), intended to address pollution according to its severity, is frequently viewed as a temporary fix. It fails to confront the underlying causes or equip the city for abrupt pollution surges.
A significant factor contributing to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality is vehicle emissions. Although initiatives such as transitioning public transport to CNG and implementing BS6 norms have been introduced, the results have been minimal. The city still hosts a staggering number of vehicles—approximately 8% of the country’s total within a compact area.
Coupled with traffic congestion, it’s no wonder that pollution levels remain elevated. While electric vehicles (EVs) are heralded as a potential solution, experts warn that they are not the ultimate answer—particularly if their electricity is derived from coal.
In light of mounting pressure and criticism, the Delhi government has recently unveiled a new set of policies. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that vehicles from other states must now present a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate upon entering Delhi.
The objective is to tighten emission regulations and prevent highly polluting vehicles from increasing the city’s burden. This decision follows a CAG report that exposed significant deficiencies in Delhi’s current pollution control systems, highlighting weak enforcement and poor inter-agency collaboration.
In addition, the government plans a substantial expansion of EV infrastructure. By 2026, Delhi aims to establish 48,000 EV charging stations across the city—18,000 publicly managed and 30,000 semi-private.
While this move is a step forward, experts emphasize that without reinforcing public transport, these measures will have limited impact. If residents lack clean, affordable alternatives to driving, EVs alone will not alleviate vehicle congestion or traffic that hampers the city’s flow.
The government also intends to introduce six new air quality monitoring stations and create an eco-park for processing electronic waste—another frequently neglected source of pollution. Though these may appear as minor initiatives, they represent vital components of a larger strategy. However, even the most effective city-level efforts can only go so far.
The air in Delhi does not exist in a vacuum. Pollution drifts in from surrounding states, propelled by wind and weather patterns. Experts advocate for a collaborative approach—a model of an “air shed,” wherein Delhi and its neighboring states cooperate, similar to managing a shared water resource.
Only through regional collaboration can genuine, enduring progress be achieved. Thus, Delhi’s recent announcements indicate a political commitment to address the issue. However, unless these plans are integrated into a broader, long-term, and well-coordinated strategy, it is likely that next winter, the smog will reappear—bringing with it the same old inquiries.
(Vanshika Singh is a research assistant at the Indian Council of Social Science Research).
