39 Indian Cities Among World’s 100 Most Polluted: Report They lay bare the urgent need to act.
According to a new S&P Global Mobility report, 39 cities in India ranked among the world’s top 100 most polluted. Put another way, India has more polluted cities than China, which has 30 cities listed in the list. The report also indicates that the air quality in Delhi is worsening as the AQI continued to breach 500 during hazardous conditions.
Indian Subcontinent Leads the Pack of Most Polluted Cities
Air pollution remains high in South Asia. Pakistan ranks third with seven cities on the list, followed by Bangladesh with five and Nepal with two cities. The Indian subcontinent accounts for 53 of the world’s top 100 most polluted cities. This is therefore a call to collective, concerted action in the region to “perform” against this crisis.
Role of Sulfur Dioxide in Critical Air Quality Episodes
One of the major contributors released as the byproduct of burning fossil fuels such as coal, diesel, and petroleum is sulfur dioxide. India accounts for most of SO₂ emissions globally, accounting for more than 15% of overall human-caused emissions globally, according to Greenpeace.
The impacts of SO₂ emissions are vast. Respiratory conditions including bronchitis, asthma attacks, and cardiovascular issues are some of the effects of SO₂. The pollutant contributes to acid rain, affecting ecosystems and agriculture negatively.
Missed Deadlines in Pollution Control at Power Plants
A significant contributor to India’s SO₂ emissions is coal-fired power plants. Despite regulatory guidelines, many plants have missed deadlines to install Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) systems, which can cut SO₂ emissions by up to 64%. This failure undermines pollution control efforts and prolongs public exposure to hazardous air.
FGD systems could thus be implemented across the thermal power plants. Then, annually, SO₂ emissions would be cut down from 4,327 kilotonnes to around 1,547 kilotonnes, as per CREA. Together with other steps, this could significantly enhance air quality.
Disparity in Pollution Control Measures
While sectors like agriculture face penalties for practices such as stubble burning, coal-fired power plants have received repeated compliance extensions. This regulatory leniency further exacerbates pollution levels. Analysts suggest stricter enforcement and timelines for installing FGD systems to curb emissions effectively.
Recommendations for Pollution Control
The report emphasizes several measures to address the SO₂ emission crisis and improve air quality:
Timely installation of FGD systems: Establishing strict deadlines for FGD implementation in power plants and other industrial sectors.
Penalties for non-compliance: Introducing financial penalties for delays in meeting emission control deadlines.
Regular monitoring: Strengthening monitoring systems to ensure adherence to pollution control measures.
Comprehensive approach: Combining SO₂ reduction strategies with other pollution control initiatives to achieve long-term improvements in air quality.
Regional Cooperation Needed
Given that more than half of the world’s top 100 polluted cities are in South Asia, concerted efforts by the countries of the region are essential. Coordinated measures, shared technological resources, and joint air quality monitoring systems may ease the transboundary characteristics of air pollution.
Conclusion
The S&P Global Mobility report and findings from CREA underline the urgency for decisive action to tackle India’s air pollution crisis. That India has 39 cities ranked among the world’s most polluted and Delhi witnessing hazardous AQI levels will be an imperative to strictly regulate the emission of SO₂ and other pollutants. The effective implementation of pollution control measures, stringent regulations, and regional cooperation can pave the way toward cleaner air and healthier living conditions.
Sources:
- S&P Global Mobility Report
- Greenpeace SO₂ Emissions Report
- Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA)