India grapples with a severe air pollution crisis, with a recent report indicating that 74 of the world's 100 most polluted cities are within its borders. This alarming statistic, highlighted in the 2024 World Air Quality Report, underscores the urgent need for effective measures to combat this environmental and public health challenge. While this figure represents a slight improvement from 83 cities the previous year, the levels of PM2.5, a key microscopic pollutant, remain dangerously high, averaging 50.6 micrograms/cubic meter, which is ten times the World Health Organization (WHO) safe guideline. Despite having a large number of polluted cities, India ranked fifth globally in terms of national pollution levels, after Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Several factors contribute to India's air pollution woes. Vehicular emissions, industrial activities, construction, and the seasonal burning of agricultural residue are major culprits. In Delhi, the world's most polluted capital city, these factors combine with traffic congestion and fuel adulteration to create a toxic environment. A study published in Global Transitions also points to rising levels of surface ozone, a life-threatening pollutant that caused over 50,000 deaths in India in 2022 and significant economic losses. The combined effect of ozone and PM2.5 can lead to increased respiratory issues and a higher risk of mortality.

The consequences of air pollution in India are far-reaching. It is a major public health crisis, with 1.67 million deaths attributable to air pollution in 2019, accounting for 17.8% of the total deaths in the country. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to increased mortality, with a study in The Lancet Planetary Health finding that it increases deaths by 1.5 million per year. Air pollution also has a significant economic impact, with lost output from premature deaths and morbidity resulting in substantial economic losses. Furthermore, ozone pollution is causing significant crop yield losses, impacting food security.

The Indian government has launched several initiatives to address the air pollution crisis. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, aims to reduce PM concentrations by 20-30% by 2024 in over 100 cities. The government is also strengthening vehicular and industrial emission standards, promoting renewable energy and electric vehicles, and providing LPG cooking fuel to households. Recognizing the importance of public awareness, India launched the Air Quality Index (AQI) tool in 2015 to communicate air quality levels in an accessible format.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Only a fraction of cities exceeding air quality standards are part of the NCAP, and many still lack action plans to reduce pollution levels. In Delhi, pollution levels rose in the past year, highlighting the need for more effective measures to tackle vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and stubble burning. A more targeted approach to managing industrial emissions, combining technology, market-based incentives, and regulatory improvements, is also essential. Additionally, experts emphasize the need for regional cooperation and agreements with neighboring countries to address the transboundary nature of air pollution.

To effectively combat air pollution, India needs to adopt comprehensive strategies that include stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, investments in clean technologies, promotion of sustainable urban planning, and active public participation. Transitioning to cleaner energy sources, improving public transportation, enhancing green spaces, and fostering environmental stewardship are crucial long-term solutions. Innovative solutions such as bio-decomposers to combat stubble burning and technologies for extracting potable water from the air can also play a significant role. By prioritizing clean air and implementing sustainable practices, India can strive towards a healthier and more sustainable future for its citizens.