The government has launched multiple initiatives to tackle the issue, including the use of drones to spray mist in high-pollution areas and legal interventions to enforce stricter pollution controls. However, these efforts are facing obstacles due to cost concerns, limited effectiveness, and logistical challenges. Meanwhile, the public health impact of air pollution continues to grow, with experts warning that the situation is reaching crisis levels.

Are drones effective in tackling Delhi’s pollution?

A pilot project in Delhi aimed at tackling the city’s pollution through the use of drones may be on the verge of being halted due to its high costs and lack of measurable results. 

Initially proposed under the city’s 21-point Winter Action Plan, drones were deployed to spray water mist in high-pollution areas, such as Anand Vihar. These drones, capable of carrying 15 liters of water each, were designed to reach narrow, congested spots where traditional vehicles could not.

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However, despite the promising concept, officials are questioning the technology’s effectiveness. The cost of these drones has proven to be a significant concern while their impact on air quality remains minimal. 

“The technology is extremely expensive and does not provide noticeable improvements compared to existing methods,” PTI quoted an official involved in the project. Following an initial demonstration on November 8, the government is now reconsidering the investment in drones, with skepticism surrounding their practical benefits.

SC says relaxed curbs over air pollution to continue till further orders

While technological solutions face uncertainty, legal measures to curb pollution are ongoing. The Supreme Court of India, on December 5, relaxed the strict GRAP-4 restrictions, which were enforced when air quality levels reached hazardous levels. 

However, the top court on Thursday, allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to impose additional measures, such as mechanized road sweeping and controlled traffic. These measures are part of Stage-3 restrictions but will now be implemented under the less stringent Stage-2 curbs due to slight improvements in air quality.

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The Court has also pushed for the appointment of top environmental and agricultural experts to the CAQM to strengthen the commission’s actions. Concerns were raised about the lack of coordination between various stakeholders, including the Delhi government, police, and municipal bodies, in effectively managing the air quality measures.

In addition, the Court has extended the firecracker ban until January. It is also considering implementing a year-round ban on the same, citing the need to tackle both air and noise pollution. States in the National Capital Region (NCR) have also been directed to enforce similar bans and ensure compliance.

Millions died due to pollution between 2009 and 2019, says study

According to a recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, nearly 1.4 billion people in India, including the entire population of Delhi, live in areas with PM2.5 levels that exceed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limits. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to a range of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and is responsible for millions of premature deaths in India every year.

According to the study, about a million and a half deaths every year from 2009 to 2019 is potentially linked with long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution.

The research highlights that PM2.5 pollution contributes to a significant increase in mortality rates, with each 10-microgram per cubic meter rise in annual pollution levels correlating with an 8.6 percent higher annual mortality rate.

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Jairam Ramesh raises concern on rising pollution

Former Environment Minister and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has raised concerns over the lack of updates to India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which have not been revised since 2009. These outdated standards, he argues, are not sufficient to address the growing public health crisis posed by rising pollution levels.

“According to a recent study by a team of researchers in India, Sweden, Israel and USA, 6.6 million deaths between 2009 and 2019 can be attributed to PM2.5 levels. This is not just an environmental and quality of life challenge, it is the single most important public health crisis we face,” Ramesh said. 

“We need to immediately review the NCAP and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which have not been updated since they were promulgated in Nov 2009,” he said.