Delhi's Air Pollution Reaches Hazardous Levels,

Prompting Government Action

-Al Jazeera, Dated: November 20, 2024
Link to the article

Introduction
The above article highlights the alarming levels of air pollution in Delhi, which have
become a recurring and severe issue, especially during the winter season. The
capital city frequently experiences hazardous air quality due to a combination of
factors such as vehicular emissions, industrial discharge, stubble burning in
neighboring states, and unfavorable weather conditions. These pollutants often
exceed safe limits, affecting public health and overall quality of life.
Despite multiple short-term responses by authorities—like school closures,
construction bans, and emergency action plans—the root causes of pollution
remain largely unaddressed. This report aims to analyze the core issues contributing
to Delhi's pollution, assess the risks involved, and propose sustainable solutions
aligned with relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Root Cause Analysis
The major root causes of Delhi’s air pollution include:
 Environmental Factors: Winter inversion, low wind speed, and dust storms
trap pollutants in the air.
 Vehicular Pollution: High vehicle density, use of petrol/diesel vehicles, and
poor public transport increase emissions.
 Industrial Emissions: Unregulated factories, diesel generators, and lack of
pollution control technologies contribute heavily.
 Agricultural Practices: Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, due to lack of
alternatives, adds seasonal pollution.
 Policy & Governance Issues: Weak enforcement of air quality laws and poor
coordination between authorities delay effective action.

These factors together lead to dangerously high pollution levels in Delhi.

Fishbone Diagram for Root Cause Analysis

Risk Analysis
For Risk Analysis, we use a Risk Matrix, which is a matrix consisting of Likelihood of
occurring of the Risks versus Severity with which the risk occurs.

Likelihood Table
Likelihood Population Impact Economic Impact Environmental Impact
Level

Very Likely High exposure, Increased Hazardous air quality,

(5) leading to chronic healthcare costs especially during
health issues. and productivity winters.
loss.

Likely (4) Increased Business Seasonal pollution

respiratory issues disruptions due to spikes due to stubble
in vulnerable sick leaves and burning and industry.
groups. healthcare costs.

Moderate Temporary Some sectors see Government measures

(3) migration in productivity loss in place, but not fully
affluent areas. but not effective.
widespread.

Unlikely Limited impact in Minimal economic Slow implementation

(2) low-income areas disruption in some of clean energy
despite awareness sectors. policies.
efforts.

Rare (1) Strong public High-income groups Complete reversal of

awareness and less affected by pollution trends is
pressure lead to pollution. unlikely.
some action.
Consequences Table
Severity Population Economic Factor Environmental /
Level Factor Infrastructure Factor

Critical (5) High mortality Significant loss in Severe

and morbidity; productivity; increased environmental
widespread healthcare costs. damage;
respiratory infrastructure
issues. disruption due to
poor air quality.

Major (4) Increased Major economic losses; Widespread visibility

hospital businesses face closures issues; ecosystems
admissions; or slowdown. significantly
long-term impacted.
health risks.

Moderate Rise in asthma, Loss in productivity, Temporary damage

(3) bronchitis; especially in outdoor to flora and fauna;
temporary sectors. limited infrastructure
migration. impact.

Minor (2) Mild respiratory Minor economic Limited

issues; no disruptions, like environmental effect;
significant long- absenteeism in infrastructure mostly
term effect. schools/workplaces. unaffected.

Very Minimal health Negligible economic Minor air quality

Minor (1) impact; no effect; few disruptions. issues; infrastructure
major health remains functional.
crises.
Risk Matrix
Risk Risk Level Justification
Score
Range
1-5 Low These risks have minimal immediate impact on public
health or infrastructure. They can be managed through
basic interventions.
6 - 10 Medium These risks show early signs of concern. If not monitored,
they may evolve into more severe issues. Requires
moderate attention.
11 - 15 High These risks already affect communities or systems.
Intervention is required to prevent further degradation or
public hardship.
16 - 20 Very High These risks cause significant socio-economic and
environmental harm. They threaten development and
must be actively addressed.
21 - 25 Extreme These are critical threats that endanger lives, displace
populations, and undermine regional sustainability. They
demand immediate and large-scale mitigation.
Legend
Risk Description Table
Risk Description Likelihood Consequence Impact Justification
(1–5) (1–5) Score
1 Limited 2 3 6 Farmers continue
stubble stubble burning
burning due to lack of
control sustainable
alternatives.
2 Poor 2 5 10 Delay in
governance government action
response worsens pollution
during peak events and health
times impacts.
3 Economic 3 4 12 Increase in hospital
burden on visits due to
healthcare emissions from
vehicles, industries,
and stubble
burning.
4 Productivity 4 4 16 Poor air quality
drop due to from vehicle and
poor air industrial
emissions reduces
worker efficiency.
5 Emergency 4 5 20 Hazardous AQI
closures of from combined
schools & sources (vehicular,
offices industrial, stubble)
forces shutdowns.
 6 Widespread 5 2 10 Pollutants from
respiratory diesel vehicles and
illness coal generators
increase
asthma/COPD
cases.
7 Surge in 5 4 20 Combined effect of
hospital all pollution
admissions sources leads to
public health crisis.

Conclusion
Categorizing the risks into three levels:
1. Low (1-5) -> Impact is minimal, but we have to monitor those regularly,
2. Medium (6-15) -> Impact is not much critical, but targeted planning is
required to avoid them in long run.
3. High (16-25) -> Impact is severe and threatening, and immediate action is
required.
Recommended Remedial Measures

Risk Risk Description Risk Remedial Measures

Level Score

Moderate Limited stubble 6 Provide sustainable crop residue

burning control management solutions; subsidize
happy seeders; conduct farmer
education programs.

Moderate Poor governance 10 Establish real-time emergency

response during response cells; strengthen
peak times coordination between pollution
control boards and local bodies.

High Economic burden 12 Expand public healthcare capacity

on healthcare during smog season; allocate
emergency pollution health funds.

High Productivity drop 16 Promote remote work policies during

due to poor air peak pollution; improve indoor air
filtration in workplaces.

Critical Emergency 20 Install real-time AQI monitors;

closures of schools implement graded response action
& offices plans (GRAP) proactively.

High Widespread 10 Mass awareness campaigns;

respiratory illness distribute protective masks; install
outdoor air purifiers in critical zones.

Critical Surge in hospital 20 Deploy mobile health units in affected

admissions areas; issue pollution health
advisories in advance.
Team Members and their contributions

Team Contribution
Member

Aman Coordinated the project; compiled the Risk Matrix and final Risk
Mishra Description Table; oversaw report structuring and presentation.

Deepthi Researched and articulated the Environmental Factors; designed

Poorna V the Fishbone Diagram.

Suraj U Conducted analysis on Vehicular Pollution and Industrial

Shanbhag Emissions; assisted in identifying high-risk sources.

Yogesh B G Contributed to the Policy & Governance Issues section; defined

the Likelihood and Consequence Tables.

Kiran N Drafted and analyzed the Recommended Remedial Measures;

aligned them with respective risk scores.

Mihika Assisted in Root Cause Analysis and Proofreading; ensured

Rakesh clarity in problem definition and formatting.