Context:
- Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply in early winter, with AQI touching 461–463 (Severe+), marking the worst air quality of the season.
- Despite no active stubble burning, pollution persisted, indicating local and structural causes.
- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) flagged recurring negligence in road maintenance, dust control, and waste management.
- The crisis triggered political confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Key Highlights:
- Causes of Air Pollution
- Road dust identified as a major contributor to PM10 pollution.
- Construction and demolition (C&D) waste mismanagement on multiple road stretches.
- Open burning of municipal solid waste (MSW) on dozens of sites.
- Unpaved roads, damaged stretches, and poor mechanised cleaning.
- Western disturbance–induced atmospheric stagnation leading to poor dispersion of pollutants.
- Institutional Observations (CAQM)
- 136 road stretches inspected by flying squads.
- Moderate to severe dust levels found on a majority of stretches.
- Repeated lapses by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) despite earlier warnings.
- CAQM pulled up DDA for “recurring negligence” in upkeep and dust mitigation.
- Stressed need for:
- Consistent mechanical sweeping
- Water sprinkling
- Timely dust control interventions
- Compliance across all road-owning agencies
- Air Quality Data
- AQI Levels:
- Sunday: 461–463 (Severe+)
- Forecast: Very poor to severe for several subsequent days.
- AQI Classification:
- 201–300: Poor
- 301–400: Very Poor
- 401–450: Severe
- 451+: Severe Plus
- CPCB issued an Air Quality Early Warning for Delhi.
- Political Responses
- AAP allegations:
- Governance failure by BJP-led Centre.
- Pollution worsening despite absence of stubble burning.
- Decline in public confidence in pollution control.
- BJP counter-claim:
- No local factors responsible.
- Meteorological conditions are the key driver.
- Accused AAP of indulging in “political rhetoric”.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue: Severe winter air pollution in Delhi.
- Major Causes:
- Road dust
- C&D waste
- MSW burning
- Meteorological stagnation
- Institutions Involved:
- CAQM – statutory body for NCR air quality management.
- CPCB – air quality monitoring and advisories.
- DDA – road-owning and maintenance authority.
- Government Measures:
- Flying squad inspections
- AQI-based response mechanisms (GRAP framework)
- Challenges:
- Weak enforcement
- Inter-agency coordination failures
- Recurrent non-compliance
Relevant Mains Points:
Conceptual & Static Linkages
- Environmental Governance: Accountability of urban local bodies.
- Federal Coordination: Centre–State–Local authority dynamics.
- Public Health: Air pollution as a chronic urban health emergency.
- Climate–Weather Interface: Role of western disturbances and inversion.
Key Concerns
- Reactive rather than preventive governance.
- Over-politicisation of environmental issues.
- Insufficient focus on local pollution sources.
Way Forward
- Permanent dust management infrastructure (paving, green buffers).
- Strict enforcement against C&D waste violations.
- 24Ă—7 mechanised cleaning of arterial roads.
- Data-driven accountability of road-owning agencies.
- De-politicised, science-based decision-making.
- Strengthening CAQM’s enforcement powers.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS Paper II: Governance, Centre–State relations, regulatory institutions.
- GS Paper III: Environment, air pollution, disaster management (urban).
- GS Paper IV: Ethics in public administration, accountability, public trust.