Context:
The Delhi government’s response to a peaceful protest on November 24 near India Gate over deteriorating air quality has raised concerns about the governance approach to environmental crises. The incident highlights how air pollution in North India is increasingly being treated as a law-and-order issue rather than a systemic governance and public health challenge.
Key Highlights:
Governance Response / Administrative Approach:
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The protest against hazardous air quality was met with a heavy police deployment, signalling a securitised response.
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This reflects a tendency to frame air pollution as a public order problem, instead of addressing policy failures and institutional gaps.
Nature of the Air Pollution Crisis:
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Air pollution in North India is regional, with a continuous polluted airshed extending from around Islamabad to Bihar.
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Particulate pollution has made unsafe air quality the norm for large parts of India, exposing the limits of current regulatory frameworks.
Institutional Mechanisms & Gaps:
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The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was established to overcome fragmented authority across States and agencies.
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However, its interventions have remained insufficient, lacking strong enforcement, coordination, and accountability.
Public Engagement & Social Shift:
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The Delhi middle class, earlier reliant on private coping mechanisms like air purifiers, has begun public mobilisation, indicating growing civic concern and demand for accountability.
Sectoral Challenges:
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Major pollution sources include power generation, industry, transport, construction, and agriculture (especially crop residue burning).
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Current responses are often seasonal and reactive, rather than institutional and long-term.
Relevant Prelims Points:
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Air Quality Index (AQI): Composite index measuring pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, ozone, NO₂, etc.
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Airshed: A geographic area with shared air flow, cutting across administrative boundaries.
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Particulate Matter: Fine particles that penetrate lungs and bloodstream, causing severe health impacts.
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CAQM: Statutory body for coordinated air pollution management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.
Benefits, Challenges & Impact:
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Benefits of reform: Improved public health, reduced mortality, sustainable urban living.
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Challenges: Fragmented governance, weak enforcement, political reluctance, inter-state coordination issues.
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Impact: Rising public distrust and normalisation of hazardous air.
Relevant Mains Points:
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Governance Lens: Air pollution is a collective action problem requiring cooperative federalism.
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Environmental Justice: Disproportionate health burden on children, elderly, and urban poor.
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Policy Imperative: Shift from emergency responses to permanent institutions and time-bound sectoral plans.
Way Forward:
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Treat the airshed as the primary unit of governance.
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Empower CAQM with stronger enforcement powers and data transparency mandates.
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Implement strict sector-wise emission norms, retire polluting plants, promote clean fuels and technologies, and provide viable alternatives to stubble burning.
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Reframe air pollution as a public health and governance priority, not a law-and-order issue.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
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GS 2: Governance – institutional capacity, public accountability
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GS 3: Environment & Ecology – air pollution, sustainable development
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GS Prelims: AQI, airshed concept, particulate pollution