environment

1. Solutions to improve
the air quality in DELHI
SOLUTIONS

2. Why Delhi air is so polluted?
A mix of factors like vehicular and industrial emissions, dust and weather patterns make Delhi the world's most polluted
capital. The air turns especially toxic in winter months as farmers in neighbouring states burn crop stubble. Low wind
speed also plays a part as it traps the pollutants in the lower atmosphere.
The air quality in Delhi, the capital territory of India, according to a
WHO survey of 1,650 world cities, is the worst of any major city in the
world. It also affects the districts around Delhi. Air pollution in India is
estimated to kill about 2 million people every year; it is the fifth largest
killer in India. India has the world's highest death rate from chronic respiratory
diseases and asthma, according to the WHO. In Delhi, poor quality air
irreversibly damages the lungs of 2.2 million or 50 percent of all children.
Air quality index of Delhi is generally Good (0–50), Satisfactory (51–100),
to Moderate (101–200) levels between March to September, and then it
drastically deteriorates to Poor (201–300), Very Poor (301–400), Severe
(401–500) or Hazardous (500+) levels during October to February due to
various factors including stubble burning, road dust, vehicle pollution and
cold weather.

3. Let's take a look at various steps that can help us in reducing Delhi's air quality index
Use of public transportation: Vehicular pollution is one of the biggest
causes of air pollution.Our personal vehicles like car and two-wheelers
release toxic gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides which
pollute the air. So to prevent the city's air from becoming more toxic,
we should resort to using public transport thereby saving financial
resources and protecting the environment.
Avoid burning garbage: It has been witnessed that many people out of
their laziness prefer burning the waste instead of throwing it in municipal
bodies' garbage dumping sites. The burning of waste also releases toxic gases
in the air again polluting the environment and the air we breathe. The
government needs to take strict action against the violators with both fine
and jail term.
Burning of leaves, old tyres or any items in the open should be made a
punishable offence in NCR with a fine of Rs 10,000 per incident as this is a
major cause of air pollution. Citizens should be asked to report such incidents
to helpline numbers and emails.
Installing smog towers: Large-scale devices intended to reduce the amount
of particulate matter in the air as winter approaches and air quality index
reaches 'severe' or 'hazardous' levels. The aim of the smoke tower is to
create a clean air around the area with an estimated 80 percent reduction
in particulate.

4. Walking or cycling: If you are required to travel short distances, it is
advisable to either walk or use your bicycle. Both ways will help in
reducing air pollution caused by our use of personal vehicles. While at
the same time will help us in keeping good health.
Mark out bicycle lanes in residential colonies as well as on all roads in
Delhi to encourage safe travel by bicycles. Meanwhile, citizens should
also be encouraged to use bicycles.
SOLUTIONS
Using inverter for power back up: Diesel generator sets are a common sight
during power outages in the city. Though the Delhi Pollution Control
Committee (DPCC) has banned the use of electricity generators that run on
diesel, petrol and kerosene in the city, the people should be encouraged to
use inverter for power back up.
Preventing landfill fires/Landfill Management: Prohibit burning and smoldering
waste from entering the landfill through thorough inspection of incoming
waste. Prohibiting smoking on-site and having good security measures to
prevent suspicious fires is also key.

5. SOLUTIONS
PUSA Decomposer: The technology, called ‘Pusa Decomposer’, involves making a
liquid formulation using decomposer capsules and readily available inputs,
fermenting it over 8-10 days and then spraying the mixture on fields with crop
stubble to ensure speedy bio-decomposition of the stubble.
Solar power: Installation of solar panels should be encouraged at homes,
multi-storey buildings and commercial establishments so that decentralised
power is generated with suitable subsidies to make it financially viable for all
households. The cost of solar panels has come down considerably. This
should help retire all coal-based thermal power plants which are adding a lot
to Delhi’s air pollution problems and adversely effecting climate change. In
fact, thermal power plants in Delhi-NCR should be stopped from functioning
till the AQI level is under 200.
There should be complete ban on the sale and purchase of firecrackers.
Special teams need to be formed to monitor pollution hotspots

6. SOLUTIONS
Shared taxis: The transport department should encourage shared taxi
services by developing a taxi sharing website and set up taxi stands and
cabs to offer reduced fares for shared service. This is other than the
facilities Ola and Uber provide.
More CNG vehicles: Encourage use of CNG in motor vehicles as it is a much
cleaner fuel than petrol or diesel by considerably reducing the road tax and
sales tax on CNG filled cars as compared to petrol and diesel four wheelers.
Since there are at least 1,400 cars added to Delhi roads every day, all the cars
should be restricted to using CNG only as all new petrol cars can be converted
to CNG. Also, new registrations should be discouraged by enhancing
registration charges.
Car pooling: Reduce traffic-based air pollution and congestion by
starting car pool lanes for those cars and four wheelers that have
three or more passengers to encourage people to go for car pooling.
Meanwhile, citizens too should take initiative and car pool with
friends, colleagues, family wherever possible.

7. THANK YOU
Name: Zainab Juzar Kayamkhani
Std :VII
School: MSB Educational Institute