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The Uninhabitable Future of Delhi
Context:
Recent reports and discussions have raised concerns about whether Delhi is becoming an uninhabitable city due to its severe air pollution.
- The city’s air quality has reached alarming levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently hitting hazardous levels, especially during the winter months.
Delhi, the bustling capital of India, is grappling with severe environmental and social challenges. The city’s future could become uninhabitable due to climate change, pollution, water scarcity, and rapid urbanisation. Addressing these issues is crucial for the well-being of Delhi’s residents and ensuring a sustainable future.
Historical Context:
- The situation in Delhi is not unique; it mirrors challenges faced by other major cities worldwide.
- For instance, Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, has been grappling with severe pollution and environmental degradation, leading to its planned relocation to a new city named Nusantara.
- This move is driven by Jakarta’s sinking land and deteriorating air quality, with the Indonesian government investing approximately $35 billion to create a sustainable urban environment.
Delhi’s Air Quality Crisis:
- Delhi experiences extreme air pollution, with only two days of healthy air per year (AQI in the “good” range). Over half the year, Delhi’s air is unfit for breathing, mostly due to PM2.5.
- A 2023 study shows that 50% of PM2.5 pollution in Delhi comes from local sources, with vehicles contributing 58% of this pollution (34% from exhaust, 24% from tyre/brake wear).
- Even during the 2020 lockdown, air quality was only marginally improved, indicating systemic issues with pollution control.
- Winter Pollution: Cold air traps pollutants near the ground, worsening air quality in winter months. Wind and rain can improve air quality by dispersing or washing away pollutants.
Contributing Factors:
- The main contributors to this crisis include vehicular emissions, industrial discharges, and agricultural practices such as crop burning.
- While stubble burning in nearby states (Punjab, Haryana, U.P.) is often blamed for pollution, it is only a partial factor (15-35% of PM2.5). Even with zero stubble burning, AQI would still be in the “very poor” range.
- Climate Change: The city is experiencing rising temperatures and extreme weather events, including heatwaves and heavy rainfall. The urban heat island effect intensifies these conditions, making summers unbearable.
- Urbanisation and Overcrowding: Urban expansion has resulted in a significant loss of green spaces, which are essential for maintaining quality of life. Migration from rural areas adds pressure on infrastructure and services.
- The rapid growth has overwhelmed transportation systems, sewage management, and waste disposal facilities.
Impacts:
- Health Impact: According to the WHO, air pollution, particularly PM2.5, impacts almost every organ in the body and increases the risk of systemic inflammation and cancer.
- A study in The Lancet Planet Health (2019) estimated that 1.67 million deaths in India in 2019 were linked to PM pollution.
- Social Inequality in Pollution Exposure: The poor and marginalised populations are disproportionately affected by pollution.
- Children from poorer neighbourhoods are exposed to much higher levels of PM2.5 compared to their affluent counterparts, shortening their life expectancy by around 5 years.
- This disparity shows a significant class gap in pollution exposure and its health consequences.
- Children from poorer neighbourhoods are exposed to much higher levels of PM2.5 compared to their affluent counterparts, shortening their life expectancy by around 5 years.
Challenges:
- Governance and Policy Challenges: The Delhi government’s efforts (odd-even rule, engine-off policies, water sprinklers) are viewed as ineffective stopgap measures aimed at media management rather than solving the core issues.
- A political will is required to implement systemic changes in transportation (switch to public transport and cleaner energy) to mitigate pollution in Delhi.
- Economic Costs: Environmental degradation incurs significant economic costs that affect businesses, tourism, and public health expenditures. The financial burden of managing these crises falls disproportionately on lower-income populations.
Way Forward:
- Policy and Governance Solutions: Strengthening environmental policies related to air quality standards and sustainable urban planning is crucial for mitigating these crises. Effective water management strategies must be prioritised.
- Technological Innovation: Adopting clean energy solutions, implementing water recycling systems, and enhancing air purification technologies can significantly improve environmental conditions in Delhi.
- Urban greening projects can also enhance resilience against climate impacts.
- Public Awareness and Civic Engagement: Collaborative efforts between government entities, businesses, and residents can foster a culture of sustainability in urban living practices.
