How can India design a comprehensive and effective plan to tackle air pollution in cities like Delhi, taking inspiration from international examples?

Air pollution in Indian cities like Delhi has reached alarming levels, impacting health, environment, and quality of life. International cities such as Beijing have implemented multi-pronged strategies to combat similar challenges. India can design a comprehensive and effective plan by learning from these global examples and tailoring solutions to local conditions.

• Strengthening Regulatory Framework
  • Implement stricter emission standards for vehicles and industries, similar to Beijing’s Euro VI equivalent norms.
  • Ensure rigorous monitoring and enforcement through real-time air quality data and penalties for violations.
• Promoting Clean Transportation
  • Expand public transportation networks and incentivize their use to reduce private vehicle dependence.
  • Encourage adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) through subsidies, charging infrastructure, and restricting older polluting vehicles.
  • Introduce odd-even vehicle schemes during severe pollution episodes, as practiced in Beijing and Mexico City.
• Industrial and Construction Controls
  • Relocate or upgrade polluting industries to cleaner technologies, following Beijing’s example of moving heavy industries outside city limits.
  • Mandate dust control measures at construction sites, such as covering materials and using water sprays.
• Managing Crop Residue Burning
  • Provide financial and technological support to farmers for alternatives to stubble burning, like Happy Seeders or bio-decomposers.
  • Encourage states to coordinate and enforce bans on open burning, as done in parts of Europe and China.
• Urban Green Spaces and Infrastructure
  • Increase urban tree cover and green belts to absorb pollutants.
  • Promote rooftop and vertical gardens, inspired by Singapore’s urban greening initiatives.
• Public Awareness and Participation
  • Run sustained campaigns on health impacts and citizen actions, similar to London’s “Let’s Clear the Air” program.
  • Encourage community monitoring and reporting of pollution sources.
• Regional and Inter-Agency Coordination
  • Establish a single empowered authority for air quality management, like China’s regional air pollution control offices.
  • Ensure coordination between central, state, and local governments for effective implementation.
• Leveraging Technology and Research
  • Invest in advanced air quality monitoring networks and forecasting systems.
  • Support research into local pollution sources and tailor interventions accordingly.