Air Quality and Its Impact On Delhi Residents

This policy analysis examines the impact of air quality on respiratory and cardiovascular mortality in Delhi, India. It proposes policy alternatives to mitigate the problem of air pollution in the city. The study highlights the existing policies in Delhi that were unable to manage and mitigate the air quality, leading to respiratory tract dysfunctions as the most commonly reported problems. The study is based on the analysis of the impact of air quality on respiratory and cardiovascular mortality in Delhi, India.

Running head: AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
Air Quality and Its Impact On Delhi Residents
Name of the Student:
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1AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
Abstract
The policy analysis will provide an insight into the impact of the air quality on to the respiratory
and cardiovascular mortality in Delhi, India. While at the same time policy analysis will help to
address the problem of air quality in depth. Additionally, the policy analysis will help in
examining the arguments that are related to a specific policy, and the ways of implementing a
policy. There is a need for the policy analysis because the existing policies in Delhi were unable
to manage and mitigate the air quality. This led to show respiratory tract dysfunctions as the
most commonly reported problems. The health issues ranged from chronic conditions (COPD
and asthma) to acute infections (bronchitis and pneumonia). Other studies have also shown that
the air pollution has a significant association with eye irritation, dizziness, headache,
cardiovascular events, hypertension, COPD, bronchial asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, chest
tightness, phlegm and cough. This study is based on the analysis of the impact of air quality on to
the respiratory and cardiovascular mortality in Delhi, India.

2AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
The action plan................................................................................................................................4
Literature Review............................................................................................................................5
Policy Analysis................................................................................................................................9
Rationale for the policy analysis..................................................................................................9
Formulating the problem...........................................................................................................11
Objectives of policy...................................................................................................................13
Identification of decision parameters, constraints and contingent factors.................................15
Search for alternatives: effectiveness, context, capacity of Delhi, India to implement the
strategy.......................................................................................................................................16
Policy proposals for considerations by the Department of Environment and Forests...............18
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................20
Reference.......................................................................................................................................21

3AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
Introduction
In the urban areas, air pollution contributes to the majority of the health problems. Lately,
the status of air pollution in India has undergone several changes and at the different levels and
due to this several control measures have been considered. The database released by the WHO
has revealed that the PM10 has exceeded the maximum levels set and it is almost 10 times more
than the maximum levels (198 mirogram/m3). The outdoor and the indoor pollution in Delhi is
caused by the both the industrial and the vehicular emission. several studies on the residents of
Delhi have showed that the majority of the mortality and morbidity is caused due to the elevated
level of deteriorating air quality. Although it has been seen that to reduce the levels of air
pollution, Delhi government along with the federal government has taken several measures to
reduce the impact the air pollution on the residents of Delhi. In the year 1997, a report was
published by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and it reviewed the environmental
condition prevailing in Delhi due to the deteriorating condition in Delhi1. Pollution is major
concern in the town and cities and is caused due to the input of contaminants in the environment
(soil, water and air that might cause adverse conditions in the environment). The Delhi
government has taken a wide array of steps to address issues that are related to improper waste
disposal, industrial pollution, vehicular pollution and air, water pollution in the metropolis, towns
and cities. Delhi along with the neighbouring states includes the Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and
Haryana. These regions have been under a constant cover of smog for several weeks. The
pollution levels have been recorded to be severely high and some areas like Ghaziabad, Noida,
Bhiwadi and Anand Vihar are considered as hotspots in Delhi. The four areas are the worst
sufferers and are under the scanner of Environmental Pollution Control Authority (EPCA). The
1 indianexpress.com. "The 10 Steps Aimed At Curbing Rising Air Pollution Levels In Delhi". The Indian Express,
2018, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/the-steps-aimed-at-curbing-rising-air-pollution-levels-
in-delhi/. Accessed 20 Oct 2018.

4AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
EPCA gave direct orders to the Delhi government to have a time bound plan so that the air over
the hotspots can be cleaned2.
The action plan
State governments as well as the various city authorities took steps to reduce the air
pollution that are making it difficult for the residents that are residing in the Delhi-NCR. Some of
the major steps that are taken for the reduction of pollution in Delhi are as follows:
 An anti-pollution drive was initiated by the greater Noida Development Authority
(GNIDA). Within this strategy, the GNIDA has divided the city into five major
zones and to bring a fair system into the strategy, a team is formed. The team is
capable of penalising the ones that will violate the green norms and the National
Green Tribunal (NGT). The GNIDA also took initiative to allow people to take up
steps and make people aware. GNIDA also have urged people to complain if they
have noticed anybody violating the norms. A penalty was set by GNIDA and it
ranged from 5,000 to 500,000 and it depended on the severity of the violation3.
 The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) took steps and ordered the
closure of the 123 industries that included the eight big sugar mills. These sugar
mills were located in the Delhi-NCR region. Along with these, the UPCCB fined
2 economictimes.indiatimes.com. "Govt Has Made 'Serious' Efforts To Curb Air Pollution: Govt After WHO
Report". The Economic Times, 2018, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/environment/pollution/govt-has-
made-serious-efforts-to-curb-air-pollution-govt-after-who-report/articleshow/64003558.cms. Accessed 20 Oct 2018.
3 Business-standard.com. "Government Has Taken Series Of Steps To Address Pollution-Related Issues:
Environment Minister". Business-Standard.Com, 2018, https://www.business-standard.com/article/government-
press-release/government-has-taken-series-of-steps-to-address-pollution-related-issues-116071901137_1.html.
Accessed 20 Oct 2018.

5AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
vehicles for violating the pollution control norms. The UPPCB also ordered the
shutdown of the 88 factories and a total of 315 factories remains suspended4.
 The Noida Authority that was being formed by the NGT fined about 31 lakhs of
rupees from the ones that violated the green norms which are being laid down by
National Green Tribunal.
 Water sprinklers were used by the civic authorities and this helped in reducing the
and curbing the dust pollution which is a major contributor to the smog in NCR.
 National Green Tribunal took stern actions and banned the industrial and the
construction activities and along with it banned the entry of trucks into the Delhi-
NCR5.
Literature Review
Reports published by Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of National
Capital Territory of Delhi has shown that higher percentage of death has occurred due to diseases
in the circulatory and respiratory systems6. The data showed that in the year 2009 (24.9%) the
percentage of deaths is far more in comparison to the deaths occurring in the year 2005 (16.4%).
Both the percentages have been found to have a direct link with air pollution. Studies and
researches have highlighted that the exposure to the vehicular pollution has increased the
pollution thrice and along with it the occurrence of health issues relating to allergy, heart
diseases and asthma. The effect of the particulate matter on the age, gender and health have been
4 Schindler, Seth, and Brij Kishore. "Why Delhi cannot plan its ‘new towns’: The case of solid waste management in
Noida." Geoforum 60 (2015): 33-42.
5 Teriin.org. "Air | TERI". Teriin.Org, 2018, http://www.teriin.org/air. Accessed 20 Oct 2018.
6 Rizwan, S. A., Baridalyne Nongkynrih, and Sanjeev Kumar Gupta. "Air pollution in Delhi: its magnitude and
effects on health." Indian journal of community medicine: official publication of Indian Association of Preventive &
Social Medicine 38.1 (2013): 4.

6AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
found to be significant. Young people aged 24 years when exposed to the 300 micrograms of
PM10 have shown elevated levels of neutrophil and platelet in the peripheral blood. The exposure
of PM2.5 in young girls have shown elevated levels of RBS in the haemoglobin while similar kind
of observation was noticed in the young men. While it has been found through researches that
the there is a decreased level of fibrinogen, RBC and platelet in people aged above 60 years7.
Due to the hazardous level of pollution in Delhi, Indian Medical Association (IMA)
called for a public health emergency and the various health experts have warned people of
avoiding activities like jogging and cycling. Air pollution is a major health risk for the people
living in Delhi and its outskirts. The air quality index is found to be severely high with high
levels of 2.5 particulate matter at several places. Air pollution has potential to cause acute
respiratory disease, chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, stroke. According to
World Health Organization, 92 percent of the population lives in places where air quality is
below the standards of specified by WHO8. About 88 percent of the premature deaths occur in
middle to low income countries, where pollution increases at an alarming rate. The air pollution
is a major cause of concern for the Delhi residents because of the various health effects that arise
from the elevated levels of smog in the area. The various harmful effects are: high levels of smog
aggravate the existing cardiac and lung functions and this occurs along with the shortness of
breath, wheezing, and chronic coughing; decreases the functioning of the lungs across all types
of age groups; causes premature deaths; high levels of smog decreases the immunity of lungs,
aggravates exiting allergies and onset of allergies9. A draft was released by the ministry of
7 Guttikunda, Sarath K., and Rahul Goel. "Health impacts of particulate pollution in a megacity—Delhi,
India." Environmental Development 6 (2013): 8-20.
8 Nagpure, Ajay Singh, Bhola Ram Gurjar, and J. C. Martel. "Human health risks in national capital territory of
Delhi due to air pollution." Atmospheric Pollution Research 5.3 (2014): 371-380.
9 Khillare, Pandit S., and Sayantan Sarkar. "Airborne inhalable metals in residential areas of Delhi, India:
distribution, source apportionment and health risks." Atmospheric pollution research 3.1 (2012): 46-54.

7AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
environment, forests and climate change on the National Clean Air Program (NCAP). This plan
was to formulated to address the problem of air pollution in major cities. The environmentalists
initially welcomed the program as the primary focus lied on the Delhi-National Capital Region.
However, the major issues were the lack of clearer targets and timelines. The deterioration of air
quality in Delhi led to the constitution of a body called Environmental pollution (prevention and
control) Authority (EPCA). EPCA issued a severe plus graded response plan and it was
highlighted by the environmentalist that the air pollution beyond anybody’s control. Prominent
environmentalists pointed that government must put effort in to stopping the air pollution to
reach an emergency level. While the environmentalists also emphasized that the government
must focus on the long term plan to reduce the emissions10. Delhi government took a series of
steps for the reduction of the air quality index from the very poor category to the moderate range.
Majority of the pollution reduction is played by the Delhi government and the strategies include
are: pollution checking by the transport department, tightening the emission standards of the new
vehicles, phasing out the older vehicles, rapid mass transport system, implementation of the
catalytic converters, increasing of public awareness11.
The various strategies taken up by the Delhi government in the reduction of pollution are
phased out at different time depending on the need. The first strategy formulated was based on
the checking of pollution by the transport department. Mobile enforcements teams are posted in
various road section on a regular basis and they are deployed at the various location so the
polluting vehicles can be prosecuted and whether the vehicles are having the PUC certificates is
10 Bauer, Joanne R. Forging Environmentalism: Justice, Livelihood, and Contested Environments: Justice,
Livelihood, and Contested Environments. Routledge, 2015.
11 Mohan, Manju, et al. "Emission inventory of air pollutants and trend analysis based on various regulatory
measures over megacity Delhi." Air Quality-New Perspective. InTech, 2012.

8AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
checked. The second strategy emphasises on increasing the public awareness. Public awareness
is increased through the various campaigns that are conducted by raising the social
consciousness on varying issues and at the same time educate the motorists regarding the engine
maintenance, engine tuning, statutory provisions, spreading awareness on the health hazards12.
The third strategy is the application of the catalytic converters for the 4-wheel petrol vehicles
that are registered and sold in Delhi. The 4th strategy is the inclusion of the rapid mass transport
system which is used with the objective of making less pollution or zero pollution and this will
have the affordable and efficient rail based transport system. This transport system will be
integrating with the other modes of transport. The 5th strategy emphasizes on the phasing out of
the commercial vehicles that are old. With the view to reduce the pollution in the Delhi, the
transport/commercial vehicles that are older than the 15 years are banned along with the taxis,
autos and buses that uses conventional fuel and diesel respectively. The 6th strategy pertains to
the tightening of the emission standards in the vehicles. The norms of mass emission are
tightened for all the categories in the year 1996 and 200013.
The people that reside in Delhi are the worst sufferers and due to this several views of the
people are considered in the study as well. People have expressed that they only step outside of
their house inly when it is very important; the present state of condition is considered as a state
of emergency and this is considered as a business as usual; the atmosphere smells like petrol and
this makes horrible to breath14. Environmental regulation is one of the renowned theory which is
12 Dholakia, Hem H., et al. "Impact of current policies on future air quality and health outcomes in Delhi, India."
Atmospheric environment 75 (2013): 241-248.
13 Nagpure, Ajay S., Ketki Sharma, and Bhola R. Gurjar. "Traffic induced emission estimates and trends (2000–
2005) in megacity Delhi." Urban Climate 4 (2013): 61-73.
14 Yamamoto, S. S., R. Phalkey, and A. A. Malik. "A systematic review of air pollution as a risk factor for
cardiovascular disease in South Asia: limited evidence from India and Pakistan." International journal of hygiene
and environmental health 217.2-3 (2014): 133-144.

9AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
based on the pollution control and the conservation management. The governmental policies are
targeted towards the management and control of the polluting sources that causes the majority of
the pollution. The proper management and mitigation policies help the residents that are the
worst sufferers of pollution15.
Policy Analysis
Rationale for the policy analysis
Considering the present and worsening condition of air quality it is important to carry out
a policy analysis. The policy analysis will provide an insight into the impact of the air quality on
to the respiratory and cardiovascular mortality in Delhi, India. While at the same time policy
analysis will help to address the problem of air quality in depth. Additionally, the policy analysis
will help in examining the arguments that are related to a specific policy, and the ways of
implementing a policy. There is a need for the policy analysis because the existing policies in
Delhi were unable to manage and mitigate the air quality. This led to show respiratory tract
dysfunctions as the most commonly reported problems. The health issues ranged from chronic
conditions (COPD and asthma) to acute infections (bronchitis and pneumonia). Other studies
have also shown that the air pollution has a significant association with eye irritation, dizziness,
headache, cardiovascular events, hypertension, COPD, bronchial asthma, sinusitis, allergic
rhinitis, chest tightness, phlegm and cough. Studies and researches have highlighted that the
exposure to the vehicular pollution has increased the pollution thrice and along with it the
occurrence of health issues relating to allergy, heart diseases and asthma16. The effect of the
particulate matter on the age, gender and health have been found to be significant. Young people
15 Greenstone, Michael, and Rema Hanna. "Environmental regulations, air and water pollution, and infant mortality
in India." American Economic Review 104.10 (2014): 3038-72.
16 Greenstone, Michael, and Rema Hanna. "Environmental regulations, air and water pollution, and infant mortality
in India." American Economic Review 104.10 (2014): 3038-

10AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
aged 24 years when exposed to the 300 micrograms of PM10 have shown elevated levels of
neutrophil and platelet in the peripheral blood. The exposure of PM2.5 in young girls have shown
elevated levels of RBS in the haemoglobin while similar kind of observation was noticed in the
young men. While it has been found through researches that the there is a decreased level of
fibrinogen, RBC and platelet in people aged above 60 years. Generally, it has been noticed that
exposure to air pollution has led to high count of haemoglobin and RBC in men while the
oxidized protein in plasma, fibrinogen, and platelets are high in women17. Thus, it can be seen
that the health issues arising due to the worsening air quality calls for reassessment of efficacy of
the existing policies. The existing strategies related to controlling air pollution in the Urban
centres or specifically in Delhi included the application of several strategies. The strategies
pertained to controlling and the negative aspects of the urbanization which included city
management and planning; controlling the burning of refuse; maintaining a clean and quality
road; controlling dust at the construction sites; management of travel management; management
of the transportation sector; public transportation; non-motorized transport; vehicle emission
norms and fuel quality norm; maintenance and inspection program, retrofit and scrap
programmes, improvement of the of congestion and promotion of driving cycle; transit bypass;
electric mobility; transition from road to rail freight movements; environmental fees and taxes;
vigilance and enforcement within the industries; negating challenges in the power sector;
managing the agricultural activities properly18.
17 Shah, Anoop SV, et al. "Global association of air pollution and heart failure: a systematic review and meta-
analysis." The Lancet 382.9897 (2013): 1039-1048.
18 Teriin.org. "Measures To Control Air Pollution In Urban Centres Of India: Policy And Institutional Framework".
Teriin.Org, 2018, http://www.teriin.org/sites/default/files/2018-03/policy-brief-air-pollution-in-urban-centres-of-
India.pdf. Accessed 11 Oct 2018.

11AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
Formulating the problem
Air pollution acting through the general mechanistic pathways have led to heart and lung-
related diseases that include the inflammation, systematic oxidative stress, pulmonary oxidative
stress and this promotes atherosclerosis, alters the normal cardiac functions. There is a consensus
among the studies that say fine and the coarse particles are the primary contributors to the overall
toxicity of the airways and the lungs. While the ultrafine and the fine particles contribute to the
toxicity of the blood vessels and heart. However, it was later found that beside air pollution not
only affects the respiratory system but also affects the cardiovascular system19. The long-term
exposure has shown to increase the risk of the cardiovascular disease and chronic pulmonary
diseases and even to death. Even studies have shown a greater number of deaths have due to
death from the cardiovascular disease rather than the pulmonary diseases. A study was conducted
to find out the effect of air pollution on the residents of Delhi. The annual average data were
monitored and estimated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in Delhi. The health
risk was estimated district wise after monitoring the concentration data in each station. In New
Delhi, a majority of the hospital admission has been registered due to the respiratory mortality
and cardiovascular mortality and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease20. The cardiovascular
mortality rates have been registered to be 27 for the year 1991, 51 in the year 1995, 23 in the
year 2000, 35 in the year 2005, and 42 in the year 2010. While the results reveal that the
particulate matter has been the main cause for the majority of the cardiovascular mortality. In
Central Delhi, the highest number of mortality rates are found to be all-time high due to the
elevated levels of pollutant in the year 1991. This increasing trend in the mortality rates is also
19 Tiwari, S., et al. "Statistical evaluation of PM 10 and distribution of PM 1, PM 2.5, and PM 10 in ambient air due
to extreme fireworks episodes (Deepawali festivals) in megacity Delhi." Natural hazards 61.2 (2012): 521-531.
20 Shah, Anoop SV, et al. "Global association of air pollution and heart failure: a systematic review and meta-
analysis." The Lancet 382.9897 (2013): 1039-1048.

12AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
observed in the year 1193, 2006 and the year 2008. While it has been noticed that there was a
decreasing trend from the year 1994 to 1997 and for the year 2001 to 200521. Government at this
time implemented the clean fuel technology as per the EURO norms and this led to the reduction
in the reduction of the mortality rates. In North Delhi, from the year 1991 to the year 1997, a
reduction of the trend has been noticed while from the year 1997 to the year 2002 an increasing
trend has been noticed22. In the northern Delhi, an increasing trend in the mortality rates due to
the cardiovascular diseases has been noticed from 2006 to 2010. Mortality rates due to the
elevated concentration of SO2 is seen in the year 1991 and due to this hospital admission have
been registered due to COPD (2.3%), respiratory mortality (7.7%) cardiovascular mortality
(7.7%). In east Delhi, from the year 1991 to the year 1996 an elevated levels mortality is
registered for the cardiovascular diseases due to air pollution. The number of the cardiovascular
cases registered are 228 (1991), 381 (1995), 260 (2000), 317 (2005), 636 (2010)23.
Objectives of policy
In the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, the ministry responsible for the
protection of the environment is the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Depart of
Environment at the central and the NCT region of Delhi. In the year 1974, when the Water Act
was passed, led to the establishment of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Later on CPCB
became the principle governmental agency that carried out the functions which was mentioned in
21 Banerjee, M., et al. "Hematological, immunological, and cardiovascular changes in individuals residing in a
polluted city of India: a study in Delhi." International journal of hygiene and environmental health 215.3 (2012):
306-311.
22 Balakrishnan, Kalpana, Aaron Cohen, and Kirk R. Smith. "Addressing the burden of disease attributable to air
pollution in India: the need to integrate across household and ambient air pollution exposures." Environmental
health perspectives122.1 (2014): A6.
23 Nagpure, Ajay Singh, Bhola Ram Gurjar, and J. C. Martel. "Human health risks in national capital territory of
Delhi due to air pollution." Atmospheric Pollution Research 5.3 (2014): 371-380.

13AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
the implementation of National Air Quality Monitoring programme, environmental acts and the
other related activities. At the state level, the Delhi Pollution Control Board is the governmental
body that looks after the environmental affairs in Delhi. In response to the public litigations, the
Judiciary has taken vital steps in controlling the deteriorating environmental conditions in Delhi.
In the year 1985, in response to the writ petition the Supreme court of India passed a judgement
that dealt with the vehicular pollution in Delhi. This landmark judgement led to the shutdown of
the brick kilns, hot mix plants, noxious and hazardous industries that are operating in Delhi24.
Vehicular pollution- in the year 1998, control measures taken up were directed towards
the introduction of unleaded petrol, catalytic converters were introduced in the passenger cars in
the year 1995, in the year 2000 the benzene content was planned to be reduced, the content of
sulphur in the fuel was reduced in the year 2000. The steps that were taken up include the
construction of subways and flyovers to smoothen up the movement of traffic25. This was
augmented by the introduction of commercial vehicles (auto rickshaws, taxis and buses) that ran
on compressed natural gas (CNG), phasing out of the old commercial vehicles, stringent
enforcement of the norms that comply with the Bharat stage II or the Euro-II norms (higher
norms are also used), introduction of the pollution under control certificate for the vehicles this
certificate will have 3-month validity. Another policy was introduced that emphasized on the air
ambience fund and was levied from the sale of diesel, along with the setup of emission norms for
the thermal power stations and industries and other sorts of awareness. At the regular intervals,
environmental campaign was carried out. The Delhi Pollution Control Board conducted an
24 Murukutla, Nandita, et al. "Online media coverage of air pollution risks and current policies in India: a content
analysis." WHO South-East Asia journal of public health 6.2 (2017): 41.
25 Goel, Rahul, and Pallavi Pant. "Vehicular Pollution Mitigation Policies in Delhi." Economic & Political Weekly
51.9 (2016): 41.

14AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
Ambient Air Quality Monitoring monthly at the 40 locations in Delhi. Later on the after the
analysis of the air quality data necessary steps were taken26.
Industrial policy- in the year 1982, the first industrial policy was introduced.
Subsequently, for the year 2010-2021 an industrial policy was introduced and it was issued by
the department of Industries Government of Delhi. This document contained a comprehensive
information on the higher industrial development for the Delhi region. The major mandate was to
take detailed steps towards the development of non-pollution and clean industries and the details
of the step was mentioned in the document. There were several organizations that worked
together towards the reduction of the air pollution27. The other organizations that were part of
this venture were Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, include Confederation of Indian
Industry, Indian Association for Air Pollution Control. Representatives of the industries, The
Energy and Resources Institute, Centre for Science and Environment, Factories Inspectorate
(government organization that was also involved in the pollution control program). The
academic and the research institutes that were also involved in the pollution control program are
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research institutions,
Indian Institute of Technology, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and other
institutes in and around Delhi. The professional organizations were also involved in the pollution
control and they were Indian Institute of Engineers, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers,
Indian National Science Academy28.
26 Rizwan, S. A., Baridalyne Nongkynrih, and Sanjeev Kumar Gupta. "Air pollution in Delhi: its magnitude and
effects on health." Indian journal of community medicine: official publication of Indian Association of Preventive &
Social Medicine 38.1 (2013): 4.
27 Sharma, Arun Kumar, Palak Baliyan, and Prashant Kumar. "Air pollution and public health: The challenges for
Delhi, India." Reviews on environmental health 33.1 (2018): 77-86.
28 Dholakia, H. H., Purohit, P., Rao, S., & Garg, A. (2013). Impact of current policies on future air quality and health
outcomes in Delhi, India. Atmospheric environment, 75, 241-248.

15AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
Identification of decision parameters, constraints and contingent factors
Decision parameters- Delhi is the capital territory of India and when the condition of air
quality started to deteriorate, the environmental organizations, local groups filed limitation which
alarmed the Supreme Court of India and several judgement regarding controlling the air quality
in the Delhi due to the high levels of pollution. There was a general outcry among the general
public which forced the government to frame policies and devise strategies so that the level of air
pollution and the severity reduces. It is important to mention that several strategies and the
management plan taken up by the Government were mainly based on the rising levels of
particulate matter in the ambient air. The high level of particulate matter in ambient air led to the
deteriorating health conditions across people belonging from different age groups. Large number
of hospital admissions occurred due to the rising cardiovascular diseases and increased number
of mortality deteriorated the health condition of the Delhi residents. The level of particulate
matter increased to such an extent where schools and office remained closed due to the elevated
levels of air pollutants. This was hampering the day to day functions of the Delhi residents and
the government was accruing heavy losses due to the partial closure of the government office
and the government work processes29.
Constraints- The execution of a plan in a national capital region is not an easy task, a
clear and synchronized action was required between the Delhi residents, industry owners, law
enforcers and the governmental policies. The strategy that was implemented by the government
include many constraints. Firstly, the sources of pollutions were caused by several factors,
identification of all the major sources will require a lot of time and man power. After the
successful identification of all the sources, not all sources can be controlled due to the deep
29 The, Lancet Planetary Health. "Government indifference over air pollution crisis in Delhi." The Lancet. Planetary
health 1.9 (2017): e348.

16AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
integration of the several factors such as economy, research and development, everyday life,
governmental operations and process, agricultural procedures, governmental jurisdictions, and
the several sources of pollution that requires a close coordination between many agencies and
factors30.
Contingent factors- the contingent factors that can come to the forefront is the uncertain
nature of the weather, fall in the economy, administrative changes and downfall, identification of
the new sources of pollution that cannot be managed and controlled easily.
Search for alternatives: effectiveness, context, capacity of Delhi, India to implement the
strategy
Context- Delhi is the National Capital Territory which houses the places like Rashtrapati
Bhavan, Prime Minister’s Office, Supreme Court, The Indian Parliament. The pollution of the
Delhi region is 24 million and along with it Delhi houses some of the premium institutes which
have nationwide prestige. Leaving the status quo will only worsen the situation and it will lead to
further deterioration of air quality. Studies have shown that the rate at which the air quality has
deteriorated will impact the health of the millions and jeopardise the normal functioning the of
the administrative procedures31.
Effectiveness- effective strategies are a need of the hour to mitigate the issues. Delhi
being the national capital region falls under the jurisdiction and the obligation of the Central
Government and the Delhi Government to mitigate the issue on air pollution. The effectivity of
the alternatives depends on the execution of the alternative strategies and how well they are
integrated into the having a feasible end result. It is an obvious fact that no government will
30 Sehgal, Meena, Sushil K. Tyagi, and Sumit Kumar Gautam. "Air quality in Delhi: status and concerns."
International Journal of Environmental Studies 73.6 (2016): 905-916.
31 Guttikunda, S. K. "Air pollution in Delhi." Economic and Political Weekly 47 (2012): 24-27.

17AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
allow its capital city to suffer from the elevated levels of air pollutants and high load of
particulate matter32.
Capacity of Delhi, India- Considering the fact that the majority of the pollution is
caused by the commercial, private vehicles. The majority of the policies that will be framed other
the existing strategies will largely focus on upgrading the engine grade which will produce less
pollutants. India already has BS-IV stage vehicles running and in order to compete and comply
with the European standards (Euro-VI), it is important for India to consider shifting of the engine
standards to BS-VI. The Delhi government needs to take up strategies that will the prevent the
old vehicles from running on the roads and further pollute the air over Delhi. Not only the
vehicles but the building construction works, industries and other activities that can deteriorate
the environmental condition must be controlled and checked33.
Policy proposals for considerations by the Department of Environment and Forests
The various policies that can be proposed to the ministry for the effective management of
the Delhi ait pollution are as follows:
 The policy of odd-even for the vehicles can be used- the government can take up
a policy of odd-even and this will help to segregate the vehicles that has a number
plate ending with either an odd number or even number. A plan can be setup
where vehicles having an odd number will only show up on the alternate days and
the vehicles with even numbered plates will show up on the other alternate days34.
32 indianexpress.com. "Delhi Government Approves Proposal To Conduct Round-The-Year Air Quality Study". The
Indian Express, 2018, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-government-approves-proposal-to-conduct-
round-the-year-air-quality-study-5244475/. Accessed 12 Oct 2018.
33 timesofindia.indiatimes.com. "Govt Submits Plan For Combating Air Pollution Under 3 Categories - Times Of
India". The Times Of India, 2018, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/govt-submits-plan-for-combating-
air-pollution-under-3-categories/articleshow/62126179.cms. Accessed 12 Oct 2018.
34 Subramanian, Meera. "New Delhi car ban yields trove of pollution data." Nature News 530.7590 (2016): 266.

18AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
 Banning the civil construction projects and compliance with the governmental
standards- it has been identified that the dust from the construction works can
largely affect the air pollution level in Delhi. This contributed majorly to the
health complications like the silicosis, asthma, COPD. Thus, it is important to ban
all sorts of demolition activities and construction activities. A strict compliance
can be with the Graded Response Action Plan can be devised that will ban the
usage of the host mix plants, stone crushers and diesel generators35.
 National Green Tribunal can restrict the burning of the waste and industrial
activities in Delhi- The National Green Tribunal can impose a ban on the
activities of the industries and along with the entry of trucks and other heavy
vehicles in Delhi. This will help in reducing the worsening air quality of Delhi as
well as the neighbouring states. Putting a check on the emission level from the
industries can to a great extent reduce the levels of pollution36.
35 India.com. "Dust Pollution In Delhi: LG Orders Ban On Civil Construction Activities Across Delhi Till June 17".
India.Com, 2018, https://www.india.com/news/india/dust-pollution-in-delhi-lg-orders-ban-on-civil-construction-
activities-across-delhi-till-june-17-3111450/. Accessed 12 Oct 2018.
36 swachhindia.ndtv.com. "7 Steps Taken By Authorities To Curb Rising Air Pollution Levels In Delhi | News".
Swachhindia.Ndtv.Com, 2018, https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/7-steps-taken-by-authorities-to-curb-rising-air-
pollution-levels-in-delhi-14332/. Accessed 12 Oct 2018.

19AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
Conclusion
From the above discussion it can be concluded that in the National Capital Territory
(NCT) of Delhi, the ministry responsible for the protection of the environment is the Ministry of
Environment and Forests and the Depart of Environment at the central and the NCT region of
Delhi. In the year 1974, when the Water Act was passed, led to the establishment of Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Later on CPCB became the principle governmental agency that
carried out the functions which was mentioned in the implementation of National Air Quality
Monitoring programme, environmental acts and the other related activities. At the state level, the
Delhi Pollution Control Board is the governmental body that looks after the environmental
affairs in Delhi. The proposed policy for better outcomes are: policy of odd-even for the
vehicles; banning the civil construction projects and compliance with the governmental
standards; National Green Tribunal can restrict the burning of the waste and industrial activities
in Delhi.

20AIR QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON DELHI RESIDENTS
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