The Centre’s move to provide real time data on air quality in some of India’s bigger cities brings policy focus to a key social determinant of health. >The National Air Quality Index launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a work in progress, as the quality of data from some cities remains weak, monitoring stations are not fully equipped and the standards set for pollutants fall short of World Health Organization recommendations. In the case of Particulate Matter measuring less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter — among the more hazardous pollutants — the WHO has a recommended average level of 10 micrograms per cubic metre, and an interim target of 40mcg/m By contrast, India’s tolerance limit for a “good” rating for fine particulates is 50. The air people breathe in many cities is very unhealthy, the values for respirable particulate matter far exceeding even the lax threshold. The public health consequences of this neglect of pollution by governments are the premature deaths of over 620,000 people each year, ill-health for thousands, and loss of economic productivity. Clearly, the business-as-usual approach is proving too costly.
Poor air quality is linked to specific areas of activity — a sharp rise in motorisation, particularly involving the use of diesel as fuel, coal burning, and construction work, to name a few. As the global experience shows, escalating pollution levels accompany heightened economic activity, but an informed policy response reduces the progression. That is the challenge before Prime Minister Modi: to make wealthy polluters pay, and expand green alternatives for all through attractive incentives. A supportive framework is vital to achieving the lifestyle change that Mr. Modi advocates as a solution. In Delhi, rated by some surveys as having the world’s worst air quality, the Metro rail network is growing, but so is the use of personal cars. Yet, the government is not disincentivising their use through congestion charging, which would also generate much-needed funds for the growth of modern bus and rail systems; the existence of a National Urban Transport Policy has not made a difference either. The National Green Tribunal has ordered that diesel vehicles over 10 years old not ply on Delhi roads. This is a positive measure, but those affected should get a reasonable opportunity to make alternative arrangements. The government has also failed to grasp the potential of bicycles as a clean mobility solution, and cities are hostile to their users. Coal burning for power generation can be reduced if rooftop solar power is promoted through a national scheme. U.S. cities are leasing out to homes solar panels. It is such smart solutions that can dramatically improve the air in urban India, without affecting the high quality of life that citizens aspire for.
