SCHOOL OF LAW

Session:2023-24

Course and Semester: LLB 4rth semester

Assignment
Topic: An Analytical study on air pollution in India

Submitted By: mahima singh

Roll No.: LLBN1SL22010 Submitted to: Assist.prof Ankur Shrothriya

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank the faculty of ITM UNIVERSITY GWALIOR (DEPARTMENT OF LAW) for
giving me this opportunity to explore into an area of my interest and their full cooperation during the
different stages of my project.
I would like to thank for Assistant professor Ankur Shrothriya guiding me and enriching my
project through her valuable outputs from her reservoirs experience. She was extremely helpful in
ensuring that my project was progressed on the right track.
I would like to acknowledge my wholehearted thanks to all faculty members.

Mahima Singh
Roll no. LLBN1SL22010

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 Student declaration

I hereby declare that the work presented in the project in the report entitled " An analytical study on
air pollution in India” in partial fulfillment of the requirement for degree of "llb" in itm university
gwalior from school of law, is record of my own work.
Further i declare that this is my original work and the analysis and the findings are for academic
purpose only.

Name: Mahima singh

Roll no. LLBN1SL22010

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 Content table
S. No. Topic Page no.
1. Introduction
Object of the study
2.
3. Mythology of the study
Causes of Air pollution
4.
5. Current scenario of Air pollution
6. Impact of air pollution on human health
7. Conclusion
8. References

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AN ANALYSIS OF AIR
POLLUTION AND ITS
IMPACT ON
HUMAN
POPULATION IN
DELHI
AN ANALYSIS OF AIR POLLUTION AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMAN
POPULATION IN DELHI

ABSTRACT

Air pollution in India has increased rapidly due to population growth, increase in the numbers
ofvehicles, use of fuels , bad transportation systems , poor land use pattern, industrialization,
andmost importantly, ineffective environmental regulations. Thus there arises a need to develop
anefficient and effective air quality which will be hospitable for mankind. This paper analyze
anddescribes the air pollution and Its implications on human population in mega cities like Delhi
inIndia.
Keywords: Pollution, Emissions, Air Quality. Human Health.

Introduction

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INTRODUCTION

In India, pollution has recently become an excellent topic of debate at all levels and especially air
pollution because of the enhanced man made activities such as burning fossil fuels, i.e. natural gas,
coal and oil-to power industrial processes and motor vehicles. Air Pollution is a complex problem as
it contains so many known and unknown parameters. Any alteration in the composition of gases
indirectly as well as directly pollutes the atmosphere. According to The Air (Prevention and Control
of Pollution) Act, 1981, "air pollution is the presence of any solid, liquid, or gaseous substance in the
atmosphere in such concentration as may be or tend to be injurious to human beings or other living
creatures or plants or property or environment". According to the Ministry of Environment and
Forests (MOEF), Government of India, the ambient air quality data of Delhi shows very high values
of suspended particles which have been beyond the permissible limits from last several years
continuously.
Air pollution is thus a growing concern in a developing economy like India. Despite several
initiatives by the Government of India, more than 80% of Indian cities violate the prescribed

standards of air quality. More than 0.6 million people die prematurely in India just due to
deteriorated quality of air. More than 30% of wheat is lost in the agricultural fields due to high
ground level ozone concentrations in India. Delhi being the capital has remained in limelight due to
its alarmingly polluted air in the last few years, while there are several other regions which are
equally or polluted in the country. Economic estimates point to a degradation cost of Rs. 1.1 trillion
by the outdoor and of Rs 0.9 trillion by the indoor air pollution in India, which accounts to about 3%
of the total GDP of the country. Many of these air pollutants like particulate matter emissions, and
ozone have warming potential, and hence, are known as short lived climate pollutants (SLCPs).

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To analyze the causes and the current scenario of air pollution in India.
2. To study the impact of air pollution on human population in India.
3. To suggest suitable measures to control the air pollution in India.

METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY:

The methodology applied for conducting the study is purely based on secondary data taken from
different sources such as Government Bulletins, Journals and various other government sources such
as Directorate of Environmental Sciences and the Central Pollution Control Board, India

CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION

The major cause of rising pollution NO₂ concentration in Delhi is increased traffic load. In
atmosphere, the combination of nitric oxide (NO), ozone (O3), and hydrocarbons leads to the

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formation of NO2. Therefore to minimize the NO₂ pollution, all the three components involved in its
formation needs to be targeted. To validate the findings, trend of increasing vehicular usage is shown
below. Since 2005-06 to 2014-15, 82.75% increase can be noted in the number of registered vehicles
in Delhi. Moreover, the excessive usage of cars and motor cycles are the relevant causes for rising
vehicular pollution load. This certifies the cause of increasing NO2 as well as particulate matter
concentration. Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) originally from the vehicular exhausts;
particularly diesel vehicles, road dust, and industrial activities such as combustion processes,
construction activities etc. Dense smog formation during winter monts has also been witnessed in
Delhi, the reason of which is vehicular pollution as well as the prevailing meteorological conditions
in the months of December and January.

Monumental growth of industrial sector is also responsible for pollution. As per the report of
Economic Survey of Delhi 2014-15, there are 8.93 lakhs total industrial establishments operating in
Delhi according to 6th Economic Census 2013, which is 18.35% more than the number of
establishments according to 5th Economic Census 2005.

Meteorological issues is another reason for air pollution apart from the vehicular and industrial
emissions, local climatic and seasonal factors also affect the air quality of Delhi. Delhi, being a
land-locked territory, is unable to alleviate its emission using the moderating effects of sea; the
opportunity availed by other metropolitan cities, such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.

Similarly, wind pattern also affects the weather conditions. According to a study, during the autumn
and winter months, approximately 500 million tons of crop residues are burnt in Indo- Gangetic
plains. The wind blows from India's north and north-west to the east direction during winters
ultimately resulting in combination of pollution and fog, leading to heavy smog formation in Delhi
especially during winters. In summers, although there is no inversion phenomenon, still the air
quality gets deteriorated because of the increased concentration of PM10, which is due to dust.
However, it becomes toxic due to the coating of polluted emissions. from various sources.

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Nevertheless, during rainy season pollution level goes down due to dust suspension. Thus, air
pollution in Delhi is a trans-boundary and climate induced phenomenon.

CURRENT SCENARIO OF AIR POLLUTION IN DELHI.

Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India, with an area of 1484 km, it is bordered by Haryana on
three sides and Uttar Pradesh to the east. According to the 2011 census, Delhi inhabitates
approximately 16.3 million people; thus becoming the second most populous city and second most
populous urban cluster in India. Delhi is also the third largest urban area in the world. However, due
to rapid development, Delhi is also facing serious challenges in terms of air pollution. To tackle the
situation, Delhi has taken several steps to reduce the air pollution level during the last 10 years.
However, more strenuous efforts are still required to reduce the pollution level.

Air quality monitoring in Delhi

Air quality monitoring in Delhi is carried out through a number of air quality monitoring stations
situated across the territory. The monitoring is undertaken by various organizations viz. Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and System of Air
Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
(IITM), Pune.

Air quality trends in Delhi

Air quality for the three major pollutants (SO2, NO2, and PM) is determined to understand the trend
of pollution in Delhi during recent years. On the basis of annual average concentration of pollutants,
air quality trend has been seen along with the comparison with existing national ambient air quality
standards (NAAQS), 2009. It can be seen that among the three pollutants viz. SO2, NO2, and PM10,
the concentration of NO2 and PM10 are far exceeding the prescribed standard limits. The

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concentration of SO2 is within the standard limits. However, as far as NO2 is concerned, continuous
rise in concentration was observed in past 7 years.

Source:CPCB,Delhi.
Air quality assessment in Delhi
For the ease of understanding the pollution level, air quality can be categorized into
four broad categories on the basis of exceedance factor (EF), viz. the ratio of annual
mean concentration of a pollutant and its respective standard. Accordingly, the air
pollution can be categorized into 4 types as:

Based on the data of SO2, NO2, and PM10, the exceedance factors are calculated
which is shown above..

National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP)

Considering the consequential impacts caused by air pollutants, their productive
management becomes inescapable. Therefore, to monitor and control of various air

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pollutants, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been provided with various
powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Later on, CPCB had launched a nationwide program viz. National Ambient Air
Quality Monitoring Programme (NAAQM) in 1984, which has been renamed as
National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). The number of operating
monitoring stations under NAMP has increased steadily to 614 by 2016 covering 254
cities across the nation (29 states and 5 Uts). Under this programme, there are 10
monitoring stations functioning in Delhi. Moreover, under the NAMP, the major
pollutants viz. Sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter
(PM10) have been identified for regular monitoring at all the locations. Other
parameters like particulate matter (PM2.5). carbonbmonoxide (CO), lead (Pb), ozone
(O3), are being monitored at selected locations and are slowly being added to the
monitoring networks under NAMP.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

To escalate the programme for the effective management of ambient air quality and to
reduce the pernicious effects of air pollution, development of national ambient air
quality standards (NAAQS) is mandatory. Central Pollution Control Board had
validated the first ambient air quality standards on November 11, 1982 as per the
Section 16(2) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. These
standards have been amended by CPCB In 1994, and later in 2009.

Source :CPCB, Delhi.

IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON HUMAN HEALTH.

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A large number of studies in Delhi have examined the effect of air pollution on respiratory functions
and associated morbidity. The most comprehensive study among them was the one conducted by the
Central Pollution Control Board in 2008, which identified significant associations with all relevant
adverse health outcomes. The findings were compared with a rural control population in West
Bengal. It was found that Delhi had 1.7-times higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms compared
with rural controls, the odds ratio of upper respiratory symptoms in Delhi was 1.59 times and for
lower respiratory symptoms (dry cough, wheeze, breathlessness, chest discomfort) was 1.67 times.
Prevalence of current asthma and physician- diagnosed asthma among the participants of Delhi was
significantly higher than in controls. Lung function was reduced in 40.3% individuals of Delhi
compared with 20.1% in the control group. Non-respiratory effects were also seen to be more in
Delhi than in rural controls. The prevalence of hypertension was 36% in Delhi against 9.5% in the
controls, which was found to be positively correlated with respirable suspended particulate matter
(PM10) level in ambient air. Delhi had significantly higher levels of chronic headache, eye irritation
and skin irritation.

Percentage distribution of deaths from air pollution in Delhi

Source: CPCB,Delhi

Some of the recent studies shows that indoor air pollution has a significant impact on pregnant
women and children. The 2012 data of WHO states that 4.3 million people a year die prematurely
from illness attributable to the household air pollution caused by the inefficient use of solid fuels for
cooking. So for the causes and impact of air pollution various measures and steps has to be taken
where the government has also taken some measures and it is stated below..

MEASURES ADOPTED TO IMPROVE THE AIR QUALITY OF DELHI

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Recent initiatives

 Odd even scheme

An initiative (on trial basis) has been taken by Govt. of NCT of Delhi to control the air pollution by
applying ‘Odd-even scheme’ on the 4-wheelers plying on the roads (exempting a few) from Jan. 1 st
15th and Apr. 15th 30th, 2016. The scheme proposed to run the vehicles as per their registration
numbers on alternate days. Vehicles having registration number ending with an odd digit were
allowed to run on the odd dates and vice-versa. The ultimate aim of the scheme was to reduce the
number of vehicles from the roads of Delhi.
The study reveals that during the odd-even period, there was marked increase in the pollutants
concentration as compared to ‘pre odd even period. Other pollutants were also found to be
Increasing. No definite Sereenshot has been saved to/Pictures/Screenshot clear trend and wide
fluctuations of air pollutants can be attributed to the meteorological factors and emissions from
pollution sources other than transportation. Moreover, the odd-even scheme effect might also be
diluted due to coverage of very few vehicles under this scheme.

 Court directions

A number of directions under Section 18(1) (b) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1981 regarding prevention, control or abatement of air pollution and improvement of ambient
air quality in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) were issued to U.P. Pollution Control Board,
Haryana Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, on Dec. 29 th, 2015. The
directions included various significant issues such as control of vehicular emission, control of road
dust and other fugitive emission, control of air pollution from biomass burning, control of industrial
air pollution, control of air pollution from construction and demolition activities, etc.

 Prohibition on entry of overloaded and non-destined trucks in Delhi and imposition of

 'Green Tax’.

 The Delhi Government has launched car-free day campaign ‘Ab Bus Karein’ since 22 nd
October 2015 to be observed on 22nd day of every month.

 Air Quality Index (AQI): To reduce the health impacts of the pollutants, dissemination of the
information related to air quality is also equally important so that the preventive measures can
be adopted

RECOMMENDATIONS/SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE THE AIR QUALITY OF DELHI

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 Even after taking a number of initiatives, the pollution in Delhi is rising to a great extent. To
tackle the problems and to reduce health risks generated due to air pollution, immediate steps
need to be taken. Therefore, following issues need to be judiciously addressed at the earliest.

1. Effective control measures of pollution, and proper installation of air pollution control
devices and their smooth functioning must be ensured before the establishment of any
industry.

2. Emission from construction industries / activities can be minimized by adopting best

practices such as; use of water sprays for dust suppression, creating ridges to prevent dust,
compaction of disturbed soil, prevention of dumping of earth materials along road side etc.

3. Restrictions may be imposed over the number of vehicles owned by an/a individual/family.

4. There should be strict restrictions on old polluting vehicles and subsidies may be given on the
vehicles running on cleaner fuels.

5. There should be strict checking of PUC certificates.

6. There should be uniformity in the fuel quality standards used across the country.

7. Up-gradation of public transport is necessary by improving service quality, enhancing the

number of buses, and better road management.

8. Improvement in traffic signal co-ordination for continuous traffic flow to reduce traffic jam
and idling time can also help to minimize pollution.

9. Corporate firms/ government offices may draw up an action plan to have bus/cab service for
their employees with reasonable rates.

10. Mass awareness should be increased through electronic and print media for all age groups
towards sustaining the environment and to reduce pollution.

CONCLUSION
The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi has taken several steps to reduce the level of
air pollution in the city during the last 10 years. The benefits of air pollution control measures are
showing in the readings. However, more still needs to be done to further reduce the levels of air
pollution. The already existing measures need to be strengthened and magnified to a larger scale. The
governmental efforts alone are not enough. Participation of the community is crucial in order to
make a palpable effect in the reduction of pollution. The use of public transport needs to be
promoted. The use of Metro rail can be encouraged by provision of an adequate number of feeder
buses at Metro stations that ply with the desired. Frequency. More frequent checking of Pollution

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under Control Certificates needs to be undertaken by the civic authorities to ensure that vehicles are
emitting gases within. Permissible norms. People need to be educated to switch-off their vehicles
when waiting at traffic intersections. Moreover, the “upstream” factors responsible for pollution also
need to be addressed. The ever-increasing influx of migrants can be reduced by developing and
creating job opportunities in the peripheral and suburban areas, and thus prevent further congestion
of the already-choked capital city of Delhi.

References:
 The Gazatte of India, Part III-Section 4, NAAQS CPCB Notification, 2009.
 Economic survey of Delhi (2004), Planning Department, Government of National Capital
 Territory of Delhi, 6th level, New Delhi (India).
 Air quality trends and action plan for control of air pollution from seventeen cities, CPCB -
2014
 NAAQM Series (NAAQMS/29/2006-07).
 Air quality bulletin January 2016, Air Lab, CPCB, available at
http://www.cpcb.nic.in/AQI_Bulletin Jan2016 AirLab.pdf.
 Sindhwani R. and Goyal P. (2014), Assessment of traffic-generated gaseous and particulate
 Matter emissions and trends over Delhi (2000-2010), Atmospheric Pollution Research, 5,438-
446.
 Economic survey of Delhi report 2014-15.
 Air quality status and trends in India, CPCB NAAQM Series (NAAQMS/14/1999 – 2000).
 The Health Effects of Air Pollution in Delhi, India, Maureen L. Cropper, Nathalie B. Simon,
Anna Alberini, P. K. Sharma.
 The World Bank Development Research Group, December 1997. Available from:
http://www.airimpacts.org/documents/local/WB WPS1860_Delhi_AQ.pdf. accessed on 2011
September 20]. [last
 Rizwan SA, Nongkynrih B, Gupta SK. “Air pollution in Delhi: Its Magnitude and effects on
health”. Indian J Community Med 2013;38:4-8.
 Screenshot has been saved to/Pictures/Screenshot
 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (2012). National actionplan and
monitoring framework for prevention and control of NCDs. New Delhi, India: GOL
 Census of India (2011). CensusInfo India 2011: Houses, Household Amenities and Assets
(Version 2). http://www.devinfolive.info/censusinfodashboard/website/index.php/pages/
kitchen fuelused/total/Households/IND.

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