Urban Air Pollution ( UPSC Prelims)

News Context

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) throughout the entire National Capital Region (NCR) to address the problem of urban air pollution in India.

About Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

The emergency response mechanism for Delhi, which is based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, has been implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). This mechanism was initially established following the directions of the Supreme Court in the case of M. C. Mehta vs. Union of India. It consists of four stages determined by AQI levels:
  ● Stage 1: Poor category with an AQI of 201 to 300.
  ● Stage 2: Very poor category with an AQI of 301 to 400.
  ● Stage 3: Severe category with an AQI of 401 to 450.
  ● Stage 4: Severe + category with an AQI of 451 and above.

Air Pollution in India

Extent of Air Pollution in India (IQAir World Air Quality Report 2024-25)
  ● World’s 5th most polluted country
  ● 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are located in India.
  ● Byrnihat (Assam-Meghalaya border) is identified as the world's most polluted city.
  ● Delhi holds the title of the world's most polluted national capital for the 6th consecutive year.
  ● > 10 times annual PM2.5 levels prescribed by WHO guidelines are recorded in approximately 35% of Indian cities.
Causes: Winter weather conditions such as temperature inversion; narrow streets with tall buildings (street canyon effect) trapping pollutants; transboundary pollution; reduction in green/blue spaces which decreases natural filtration; lower standards of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) compared to WHO guidelines, etc.
Impact: Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, and eye irritation; black carbon and ground-level ozone contribute to global warming; occurrence of acid rain.

Steps taken to curb Air Pollution

Vehicular Emission Control
      ○ Advancing directly to BS-VI fuel and vehicle standards across the nation by 2020.
      ○ Shifting to 20% Ethanol Blended Petrol (E-20).
      ○ Encouraging electric mobility through the PM E-DRIVE Scheme and the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 (EMPS 2024).
      ○ The SATAT initiative aims to develop a Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) ecosystem.
Air Quality Monitoring & Data Systems
      ○ The National Air Quality Index (AQI) was introduced in 2015 (refer to infographic).
      ○ The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal provides insights.
Cloud Seeding
      ○ The Delhi government has sanctioned five cloud-seeding trials, executed by IIT Kanpur to tackle air pollution.
      ○ This is a scientific weather modification technique that involves dispersing agents like silver iodide into moisture-laden clouds to trigger precipitation.
      ○ It is performed on existing natural clouds and does not create new clouds.
  ● Seeding Agents: Silver Iodide (AgI) is the most commonly used material due to its effective ice nucleating properties.
      ○ Other chemicals employed include potassium iodide (KI), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and frozen carbon dioxide – dry ice (CO2), among others.

Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM)

Genesis: A statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act 2021.
Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Role & Powers: Responsible for implementing measures and issuing directions to protect and improve air quality in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (including Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh). Its orders take precedence over those of state governments, CPCB, state PCBs, and other entities in case of conflict.
Chairperson: Must have experience of either:
○ At least 15 years in environment protection/pollution control, or
○ At least 25 years in administration.