Addressing Air Pollution: A Call for Urgent Action in India

Air pollution in major Indian cities has reached alarming levels, with Delhi's air quality hitting 700 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding WHO guidelines. This article discusses the urgent need for effective policy implementation, drawing comparisons with China's successful strategies. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing air pollution as a public health crisis and calls for uniform regulations across the NCR region. The piece highlights the necessity for political will to prioritize clean air as a critical issue, urging readers to consider the implications of toxic air on health and society.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 17, 2025, 11:46 IST

The Alarming State of Air Quality in Major Indian Cities

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the concentration of ultra-fine particles in the air should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter. However, in metropolitan areas like Delhi, this level has soared to an astonishing 700 micrograms per cubic meter. This alarming figure translates to a staggering 21,500 micrograms of pollutants in a single room, equating to the health impact of smoking 30 cigarettes daily, as per medical experts. Currently, cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad have normalized PM2.5 levels between 150 and 200 micrograms, which is concerning. If air were a consumer product, it would carry a warning stating, 'Breathing is harmful to health.'

The Need for Effective Policy Implementation

There is no doubt that India's primary challenge lies not in the absence of policies but in the lack of will to enforce them. Regulations exist only on paper, while the streets are congested with vehicles, and parking spaces overflow. Although there are discussions about restricting older vehicles to reduce pollution, public transport remains inadequate. Industries are often prioritized for their contributions to GDP, yet their role in polluting the air is overlooked. Despite regulations against practices like burning waste, dust from construction sites, and emissions from diesel vehicles and thermal power plants, compliance is minimal. Consequently, during winter, cities become engulfed in their own smog.

Learning from China's Approach to Air Quality

This raises the question: if China can tackle air pollution effectively, why can't India? Notably, China has a far greater number of cars and factories than India, yet its air quality is superior. This is not a miracle but a result of stringent policies. China has successfully reduced its reliance on coal, relocated polluting industries away from urban areas, promoted electric transportation, and enforced environmental regulations rigorously. In contrast, breaking rules in India often comes with little consequence. When the government attempts to implement strict regulations, public backlash frequently forces a reversal of decisions.

Proposed Solutions for Air Pollution Crisis

So, what should the government do? First and foremost, air pollution must be recognized as an urgent public health crisis. Actions cannot be limited to Delhi alone; uniform regulations must be applied across the entire NCR region. There is a pressing need to rapidly expand public transportation, promote electric vehicles, enforce stricter regulations on construction sites and waste management, and adopt a zero-tolerance policy for industrial pollution. Additionally, increasing green spaces within cities is essential. However, the most critical factor is political will. Until clean air becomes a voting issue, this problem will persist. The greatest tragedy today is not just that the air is toxic, but that we are losing our sensitivity to its toxicity.