Delhi's Air Crisis Deepens: Pollution Soars 17 Times Above WHO Limits, Action Needed Now

Delhi continues to battle an air pollution crisis that has made it the most polluted city in India, according to data released as of December 20. Alarmingly, the air quality in the capital exceeds the World Health Organization's permissible limits for particulate matter (PM2.5) by a staggering 17 times. This tiny but dangerous pollutant can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to a host of health complications, including respiratory ailments, an increase in cancer cases, and adverse reproductive outcomes such as miscarriages. Despite numerous initiatives and interventions from the government and the Supreme Court, the fight against air pollution in Delhi has yet to yield significant results. The majority of pollution sources can be traced back to human activities: coal burning, various fossil fuels, industrial biomass, and emissions from coal-based power plants contribute heavily to the toxic air. Furthermore, kitchen smoke, vehicular emissions, extensive construction activities, firecracker usage, and the burning of agricultural residue also contribute to the city's air woes. Seasonal changes exacerbate the pollution problem, particularly in winter, when temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground, preventing them from dispersing. Although some solutions have been proposed, such as promoting crop diversification in neighboring states and overhauling the transport sector, there's a glaring lack of focus on critical pollution sources like thermal power plants and waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities. A recent report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air revealed that thermal plants emit sulfur dioxide at levels that are 240 times higher than those from stubble burning. While the government has imposed hefty fines on farmers for stubble burning, coal-fired power plants continue to operate with repeated deadline extensions for compliance with emission regulations. Although guidelines exist requiring such plants to install flue-gas desulfurization systems—capable of reducing sulfur dioxide emissions by over 60%—the Union Power Ministry has been seeking further extensions, with the Central Electricity Authority already missing two key deadlines and pushing their timeline to 2035. In addition to coal power plants, Delhi's four WtE plants located in Ghazipur, Narela, Okhla, and Tehkhand are significant contributors to the pollution crisis. These facilities burn municipal waste to generate steam for electricity production, touted as a solution to the city's growing garbage problem. However, this process produces toxic fly ash and bottom ash, which pose serious environmental threats. The New York Times recently reported that the fly ash from the Timarpur-Okhla WtE plant contains cadmium concentrations four times higher than permissible levels and dioxins at ten times the legal limit. Alarmingly, the plant does not adhere to ecological norms in its handling of fly ash, raising serious concerns about air and water contamination. Despite the existence of modern incineration technologies designed to minimize emissions, it remains uncertain whether Delhi's WtE facilities employ adequate measures, such as filters or scrubbers, to mitigate the release of harmful pollutants. The absence of clear guidelines in the Graded Response Action Plan regarding WtE plants further complicates the situation, leaving marginalized communities—often situated close to these facilities—at the greatest risk. Environmental justice calls for immediate scrutiny of WtE plants and their pollution contributions. The plants should cease operations until they adopt advanced, eco-friendly technologies for waste processing that do not compromise air quality. As Delhi grapples with a pollution crisis that threatens the health and wellbeing of millions, it is imperative that both governmental and environmental authorities prioritize public health over outdated practices. Only through rigorous evaluation and the implementation of modern technologies can the capital hope to turn the tide against its persistent air quality challenges.