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ज्वालामुखी धुआं भारत पहुंचा: दिल्ली की ‘बहुत खराब’ हवा पर क्या असर?

पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञ सुनील दहिया (एनवायरोकैटालिस्ट्स) ने कहा, “यह राख धूल, सिलिका और खनिजों से बनी है, जो स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक हो सकती है। दिल्ली के वायुमंडल से गुजरते हुए यह प्रदूषण स्तर में अचानक उछाल ला सकती है, लेकिन ऊंचाई के कारण जमीन पर पहुंचने की संभावना कम है।” सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की एक्जीक्यूटिव डायरेक्टर अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी ने चेतावनी दी, “यह विषैला मिश्रण दिल्ली के पहले से संतृप्त वायुमंडल को और खराब कर सकता है, खासकर कमजोर वर्गों के लिए जोखिम बढ़ जाएगा।” Hayley Gubi Volcano/Ethiopia News: इथियोपिया के अफार क्षेत्र में स्थित हायली गूबी ज्वालामुखी, जो लगभग 10,000 से 12,000 वर्षों से सुप्त पड़ा था, रविवार सुबह अचानक फट पड़ा। इस विस्फोट के बाद निकला विशाल राख और सल्फर डाइऑक्साइड का बादल लाल सागर पार कर सोमवार शाम को भारत के पश्चिमी हिस्से में प्रवेश कर गया। गुजरात से शुरू होकर राजस्थान, उत्तर-पश्चिमी महाराष्ट्र, दिल्ली, हरियाणा और पंजाब तक फैल चुका यह बादल मंगलवार दोपहर तक हिमालय की ओर बढ़ गया। हालांकि, विशेषज्ञों के अनुसार, दिल्ली की पहले से ही ‘बहुत खराब’ श्रेणी वाली हवा पर इसका असर सीमित रहेगा, लेकिन हवाई यात्रा पर काफी असर पड़ा है। ज्वालामुखी विस्फोट इथियोपिया के दानाकिल रेगिस्तान में स्थित हायली गूबी ज्वालामुखी का विस्फोट रविवार सुबह 8:30 बजे यूटीसी (भारतीय समयानुसार दोपहर 2 बजे) शुरू हुआ। स्मिथसोनियन इंस्टीट्यूशन के ग्लोबल वोल्कैनिज्म प्रोग्राम के अनुसार, इस ज्वालामुखी का कोई ऐतिहासिक विस्फोट रिकॉर्ड नहीं है, जो इसे होलोसीन काल (लगभग 12,000 साल पहले शुरू) की दुर्लभ घटना बनाता है। विस्फोट के दौरान 10 से 15 किलोमीटर ऊंचाई तक राख का स्तंभ उठा, जो 100-120 किलोमीटर प्रति घंटे की रफ्तार से पूर्व की ओर बढ़ा। टूलूज वोल्कैनिक ऐश एडवाइजरी सेंटर (वीएसी) के अनुसार, यह बादल पहले यमन और ओमान की ओर बढ़ा, फिर अरब प्रायद्वीप पार कर भारत पहुंचा। स्थानीय लोगों ने बताया कि विस्फोट के बाद आसपास के गांवों पर मोटी राख की परत जम गई, लेकिन कोई हताहत की खबर नहीं है। वैज्ञानिकों का कहना है कि यह विस्फोट एर्ता एले श्रृंखला का हिस्सा है, जो क्षेत्र की भूगर्भीय अस्थिरता को दर्शा रहा है। दिल्ली-NCR पर असर दिल्ली में पहले से ही स्मॉग की मोटी चादर बिछी हुई है, जहां एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स (एक्यूआई) ‘बहुत खराब’ (300-400) के बीच बना हुआ है। केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (सीपीसीबी) के अनुसार, मंगलवार सुबह दिल्ली का औसत एक्यूआई 350 के आसपास रहा। इथियोपिया से आया राख बादल 15,000 से 45,000 फीट की ऊंचाई पर यात्रा कर रहा है, जिसमें ज्वालामुखी राख, सल्फर डाइऑक्साइड, नाइट्रोजन डाइऑक्साइड, कांच के सूक्ष्म कण और चट्टानों के टुकड़े शामिल हैं। पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञ सुनील दहिया (एनवायरोकैटालिस्ट्स) ने कहा, “यह राख धूल, सिलिका और खनिजों से बनी है, जो स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक हो सकती है। दिल्ली के वायुमंडल से गुजरते हुए यह प्रदूषण स्तर में अचानक उछाल ला सकती है, लेकिन ऊंचाई के कारण जमीन पर पहुंचने की संभावना कम है।” सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की एक्जीक्यूटिव डायरेक्टर अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी ने चेतावनी दी, “यह विषैला मिश्रण दिल्ली के पहले से संतृप्त वायुमंडल को और खराब कर सकता है, खासकर कमजोर वर्गों के लिए जोखिम बढ़ जाएगा।”

4,000 deaths in 270 days: How extreme weather cost India in 2025

India witnessed 270 days of extreme weather in the first 273 days of 2025. This means almost 99 per cent of the year so far has seen some form of extreme weather event. The impact has stretched across the country, from the northern hills to the southern coast. According to the Climate India Report 2025, (https://www.cseindia.org/climate-india-2025-an-assessment-of-extreme-weather-events-12927) Himachal Pradesh stands at the top of the list, having suffered extreme weather for 217 days, almost 80 per cent more than any other state. From winter flooding to pre-monsoon landslides to violent monsoon cloudbursts, the hilly state saw everything, which resulted in 380 deaths and widespread destruction.

India Pushes for Critical Minerals Circularity and Collective Action on Climate at G20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed for the creation of the Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative which will foster recycling, urban mining, second-life battery projects, and related innovations at the two-day G20 Leader’s Declaration event. India also called for greater collective action on the climate agenda to strengthen global food security, highlighting the Deccan Principles on Food Security adopted during India’s G20 Presidency. The G20 Summit in South Africa is considered a victory for the host nation and the African continent. The Leaders’ Declaration was adopted on the first day despite the US’ absence and without any objections. The G20 Leader’s Declaration held under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability” and put emphasis on multilateral cooperation amid geopolitical and economic divide. Argentina was also with the US and did not support the Leaders’ Declaration but “remains fully committed to the spirit of cooperation that has defined the G20 since its inception”. Dr. Mohan Kumar Professor & Dean, Strategic and International Initiatives, OP Jindal Global University, Former Indian Ambassador to Bahrain and France said, “The fact that the US is absent has not pushed G20 into irrelevance. There is a collective will outside of the US that multilateralism matters and institutions like G20 matter. G20 is alive and kicking, despite the conspicuous absence of the US as well as Argentina.” At the summit South Africa laid emphasis on the Global South’s priorities such as debt reform and reaffirming the impact of climate change and the need for climate finance to be ramped up from billions to trillions. This will ensure the commitments made through the Paris Agreement remain aligned and developing countries who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change are not shouldering the entire financial burden themselves. Bilateral Agreements with Canada and South Africa for Critical Technology India also signed a bilateral trade agreement with Canada at the sidelines of the event in the fields of critical technologies, nuclear energy, diversification of supply chains and AI. PM Modi also discussed bilateral ties and ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of AI, Digital Public Infrastructure and critical minerals with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The PM at the summit said the country’s priorities were clear and it is time to look at the new parameters of development, one which addressed the imbalance of growth and overexploitation of nature, particularly when the G20 Summit was being held for the first time in Africa. “The G20 Critical Minerals Framework is also special for admitting that developing countries have long been stuck in raw-material extraction with little beneficiation, and this must change,” said Trishant Dev, Deputy Programme Manager, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “In relation to the COP30 outcome in Belém, the G20’s language on unilateral climate measures, reiterating Article 3.5 of the UNFCCC, points to an important and emerging concern about the evolving link between climate policy and trade, a dynamic that is already tilting against developing countries.” Article 3.5 of the UNFCCC states that the parties should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international economic system that would lead to sustainable economic growth and development of all the parties, particularly developing countries, enabling them to better address the problems of climate change.

Ancient volcano erupts, disrupting flights and raising pollution fears in Delhi

An explosive eruption from a volcano in Ethiopia, dormant for an estimated 12,000 years, has sent an ash cloud drifting thousands of kilometres eastward, causing significant disruption to air travel across the Middle East and India. The event involves the Hayli Gubbi shield volcano, located in the Afar Region of Ethiopia, which dramatically reawakened on Sunday morning, November 23, 2025. The eruption produced a massive plume of ash, sulphur dioxide, and fine glass and rock particles, soaring to altitudes of up to 45,000 feet, which is well within the typical cruising height of commercial aircraft. Understanding the Volcanic Ash threat Volcanic ash is not like the soft ash from a fire; it is composed of tiny, sharp fragments of rock, minerals, and glass. For aviation, this material presents a triple threat. Firstly, at high altitudes, the particles can be sucked into jet engines, where the heat is sufficient to melt the ash. This molten material then coats the internal engine parts, particularly the turbine blades, leading to engine malfunction or complete failure. Encounters with volcanic ash plumes have historically caused serious incidents, including mid-air engine shutdowns. Secondly, the ash can scratch aircraft windscreens, impairing the flight crew’s visibility, and contaminate the pressurised air drawn from the engines for the cabin, potentially leading to a chemical odour or smoke inside the aircraft. Lastly, it affects vital airspeed indicators and other sensors, leading to incorrect readings that can jeopardise flight safety. Impact on Travelers and Aviation Safety As the voluminous ash plume drifted eastwards, first across the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula (including Yemen and Oman) and subsequently into India’s northwestern airspace, aviation authorities quickly responded. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent safety advisory to all airlines, instructing them to avoid affected regions and altitudes. Airports were also advised to inspect runways and taxiways for ash contamination and suspend operations if necessary to prevent engine ingestion during take-off and landing. The direct consequence for travelers has been flight disruptions across routes connecting India with the Middle East and Europe. Multiple Indian and international carriers, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, and KLM, have cancelled or rerouted flights. For instance, some flights to destinations like Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi were cancelled or diverted to avoid the ash corridor. Airlines have had to conduct detailed engine checks on aircraft that flew near the affected zones as a precautionary measure. While the explosive phase of the Hayli Gubbi eruption appears to have stopped, the existing ash cloud, traveling at speeds of 100–120 km/h, continues to dictate flight paths and cause potential delays. Passengers are strongly advised to check their flight status with their respective airlines for real-time updates and be prepared for ongoing schedule modifications until the plume dissipates. Implications for Delhi’s Air Quality crisis The arrival of the volcanic ash cloud over parts of Northwest India, including the Delhi-NCR region, has ignited concern over its potential to worsen the capital’s already severe air pollution crisis. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains firmly entrenched in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ categories due to a mix of local and regional emission sources. The question is whether the high-altitude volcanic plume, which contains dust, silica, and sulphur dioxide, will descend and mix with the city’s toxic ground-level air. Meteorological and environmental experts offer a guarded assessment. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) suggests that a significant deterioration of Delhi’s air quality from the volcanic ash is unlikely. This is primarily because the plume is traveling at very high altitudes, between 15,000 and 45,000 feet, and its effect at the surface level is expected to be minimal. The most noticeable impact is a possibility of a hazy or darker sky for a few hours as the cloud passes over. However, some environmental analysts have cautioned that the situation demands close monitoring. Volcanic emissions, especially sulphur dioxide and fine particulate matter, are toxic. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, noted that this plume is a “toxic mix of fine particles and gases” that could potentially worsen the smog in Delhi’s already saturated airshed, posing enhanced health risks for vulnerable groups. As the plume is forecast to drift further east towards the Himalayas and China, the period of risk for Delhi’s surface air quality is expected to be short-lived, but the persistent threat of high-altitude disruption to air travel continues.

Residents call for tighter regulation of waste plants under GRAP norms in Delhi

Harbai, a 56-year-old resident of Metro Vihar JJ Colony in north-west Delhi’s Bawana, says she often clears layers of black ash from the terrace of her four-storey residence. “A few years ago, we couldn’t figure out where all this dust was coming from. But now we know there is a plant nearby that burns garbage, which emits this black ash,” she recalls. Her neighbour, 59-year-old Somvati, says she struggles with breathlessness every morning. “It feels like some residue always sits in my throat. People with asthma or other lung problems suffer even more,” she says. Less than 2 km away stands the 24 MW waste-to-energy (WTE) plant, run through a public-private partnership between the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Re-Sustainability. Residents of nearby villages, Holambi Khurd, Sonath, Holambi Kalan and Naya Bans, report similar health concerns. On the day of The Hindu’s visit, the air quality index (AQI) in the Bawana Industrial Area was slightly higher than that of New Delhi. Even during GRAP III restrictions, which curb industrial activity, these plants continue operating because they are classified as “essential services”. Delhi’s four WTE plants in Bawana, Tekhand, Okhla, and Ghazipur operate round the clock and together process around 7,500 tonnes of the 11,300 tonnes of mixed waste generated daily. The remaining waste piles up in landfills. Government rules mandate regular health facilities and medical camps for residents within a 5-km radius of such plants. But villagers say these are rare. “There are so many industries here now. We are told everything is safe, but we live with the impact,” said Lekh Ram, 49, from Holambi Khurd. Segregation gaps At the Bawana facility, a senior employee said around 85 garbage trucks arrive daily and often make multiple rounds, and over 200 workers handle the waste. “All the waste is unsegregated. Machines sort it in several rounds, but they can only do so much, given the condition in which we receive it,” he said. He insisted that the plant follows all prescribed norms, provides safety gear to workers, and undergoes DPCC inspections every three months. A Jindal Group representative, which operates the Okhla and Tekhand plants, said fly ash and bottom ash are stored in sealed silos or sent to approved landfills, while plants use flue-gas systems to trap acidic pollutants. Plastics like PVC are separated before burning to prevent the release of toxic fumes. Parth Kumar of the Centre for Science and Environment said proper source segregation is essential as toxins remain in combustible material when waste arrives mixed. “These plants are inside the city where people live. When residents raise concerns, GRAP-like norms should be prepared,” Mr. Kumar said, adding that clear information must be provided on which pollutants are being tracked and their emission levels for “greater transparency”.

Belem COP30. All green talk, no greenback

The 2025 UN climate summit ended with a whimper at the edge of the Amazon, as nearly 200 governments compromised on actions that fail to effectively combat the galloping impacts of climate change. In a year marked by the second withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement, India faced at least a heatwave, storm, flood, landslide or drought worsened by climate change on 245 out of the first 273 days (nine months), according to a report by the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment; 4,064 lives were lost and 47 million hectares of cropped area were affected. Similar disasters hit many other parts of the world. But at the fortnight-long summit held near the mouth of the Amazon in Belem, governments could not agree on a strong measure to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) causing climate change. Despite exhortations by conference president André Correa do Lago of host country Brazil to “accelerate the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement”, progress was stymied, largely by the refusal of rich nations to provide public finance to developing countries to help combat climate change and its impacts.

Experts Warn of Rising Respiratory Illnesses as Air Pollution Intensifies

Air pollution is increasingly being identified as a major contributor to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung infections, and long-term respiratory ailments—particularly affecting young children, senior citizens, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Speaking at the 37th annual national conference of the National Respiratory Chapter, PedPulmoCon-2025, environmental and public health expert Dr Anumita Roy Chowdhury highlighted the dangers posed by fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur dioxide. These pollutants, she said, penetrate deep into the lungs and cause significant damage. She urged citizens to adopt low-pollution lifestyle practices to reduce long-term health risks.

Where does road dust settle in India’s efforts to clean its air?

Road dust mainly comprises PM₁₀ and coarse particles and forms a large share of the air we breathe. With the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aiming for a 40% reduction in PM₁₀ by 2025-2026, reducing road dust is an urgent priority. This is reinforced by source apportionment studies across 17 non-attainment cities that have found road dust to be a major contributor to PM10 (20-52%) as well as PM2.5 (8-25%) particles. IIT-Delhi researchers have also recorded that streets in 32 cities across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana vary widely vis-à-vis their silt loads, from 0.2 g/m2 to 111.2 g/m²; Delhi averages 14.47 g/m². Overall, cities in North India have heavier silt loads and are thus dustier than their southern counterparts. In response, governments have already invested heavily in fighting dust. Per a 2024 reportby the Centre for Science and Environment, ₹19,711 crore was allocated to 131 cities between 2019 and 2025 under the NCAP to improve air quality. By November 2023, nearly 64% of the total fund had been spent on road dust control, far more than what was spent on tackling biomass burning, vehicular pollution, and capacity-building efforts.

Sacrificing Our Future: How Delhi’s Air Pollution Threatens an Entire Generation

Delhi experienced another smog-blanketed day on Sunday, with the city’s average air quality index (AQI) reaching 391 at 4 pm on November 23, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. This indicated a steady deterioration from AQI levels of 370 on November 22 and 364 on November 21. However, this is not a new experience for Delhiites. As winter settles in, Delhi’s air quality plunges into dangerous territory, with regular spikes in PM2.5 levels and AQI readings often entering the “very poor” above the AQI of 301 and below 400 and even the “severe” above 400 zones. According to a March 2025 report published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the city’s winter average PM2.5 level during one season was an alarming 175 µg/m³—several times higher than India’s 24-hour standard of 60 µg/m³ and the annual standard of 40 µg/m³. During the season, the national capital did not register any ‘good’ air quality days, with peak pollution reaching 602 µg/m³ on November 18, 2024. The year-long trend too shows a deterioration: A CSE analysis showed that Delhi’s annual PM2.5 in 2024 (104.7 µg/m³) was a 3.4% increase from 2023 levels.

Ghaziabad chokes as AQI hits 600 on Delhi-Meerut expressway

Ghaziabad is among the most densely populated districts in the national capital region with a population of 3,700 every one square kilometre. For this episode of Aaj Ka AQI, we visited the Delhi-Meerut expressway in Ghaziabad, where the AQI was around 600, or in the hazardous category. In 2020, a report by the Centre for Science and Environment stated that the reason for hazardous air quality in the district is the presence of 146 industrial units – 80 percent of them textile units – running on coal.

Experts Flag Pollution, Pigeon Droppings As Threats to Children’s Respiratory Health

Nagpur: Pollution-driven respiratory illnesses in children and silent lung damage caused by pigeon droppings dominated scientific deliberations at the 37th Annual Conference of the IAP National Respiratory Chapter. The conference concluded on Sunday with a strong call to protect the "lungs of the future generation". The conference was inaugurated by chief guest Dr Anumita Roychowdhury and guest of honour Dr Vasant Khalatkar. It featured eight international faculty members, making it one of the most academically intensive meetings in recent years. Leading global experts discussed emerging threats to paediatric respiratory health. Dr Sneha Verki (CMC, Vellore) and Dr Eitan Kerem (Israel) highlighted the under-recognised burden of cystic fibrosis in India, noting that only six centres in the country currently test for the condition, resulting in delayed diagnosis and preventable disease progression. Dr SK Kabra (AIIMS, Delhi) warned about hypersensitivity pneumonitis linked to pigeon droppings, stressing that soaring pigeon populations near high-rise buildings are exposing both children and adults to a type of pneumonia that is often misdiagnosed. Dr Sejal Saglani (UK) presented breakthrough research on under-five wheezing, a rapidly emerging concern. Dr Jane Lucas addressed new insights on primary ciliary dyskinesia. A recurring theme throughout the conference was the severe impact of environmental pollution on young lungs. Speakers cautioned that children exposed to polluted air are likely to develop COPD as early as 30-40 years of age. Construction-related dust, uncontrolled vehicular emissions, and firecrackers' pollution were called out as major triggers. Data from a recent study presented by Dr Sandeep Salvi showed that smoke from a single cracker like ‘phuljhadi or anar' equals exposure to 500 cigarettes, prompting renewed appeals for responsible celebrations. Experts emphasised that protecting children requires both policy-level interventions and public behavioural change — from curbing construction dust to switching from wood stoves to clean cooking energy and improving indoor ventilation. Another misconception addressed was about asthma therapy. Paediatric pulmonologists clarified that inhalation therapy is far safer and more effective than oral cough syrups, yet many families still insist on syrups due to myths and unfamiliarity. Wrapping up the meet, speakers underscored the theme "Breathing Better Future," urging that unless indoor and outdoor pollution are tackled with urgency, India risks raising "a generation with permanently compromised lungs."

Traffic police issue 87,000 challans in a month to curb pollution

Delhi Traffic Police has issued 87,457 challans over the past month for a wide range of violations aimed at curbing air pollution. Data from Oct 14 to Nov 18 shows that 84,981 challans were handed out to motorists who were found driving without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. Also, 2,030 challans were issued to vehicles visibly emitting excessive smoke or contributing to pollution because of poor maintenance, while another 446 vehicles were penalised for transporting construction and demolition waste without covering the material. Dinesh Gupta, additional commissioner of police (traffic), said that the cops deployed personnel at 126 border points, including major and minor entry routes. At 13 border points, joint teams of the transport department and traffic police conducted vehicle checks. "These teams are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) guidelines, particularly during periods when pollution control measures are intensified," he said. The traffic police also diverted 4,708 non-destined trucks approaching Delhi via the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways. The personnel inspected over 5,900 interstate buses at the border. Of these, 5,538 were allowed entry, whereas 442 buses were stopped for failing to comply with norms. Anil Chhikara, former deputy transport commissioner of Delhi, pointed out that the city has over 90 lakh vehicles on the road, yet less than half of them have a valid PUC certificate. He said that many vehicle owners do not take the documents seriously and tend to obtain them only when enforcement drives are announced. "People usually go for the pollution certificate only when orders are issued for rigorous checks. Owners should regularly check for visible emissions from their tailpipes and ensure their PUCC is renewed periodically," he added. Various studies in the past have highlighted the significant contribution of vehicles to overall pollution levels. Last year, a study by the Centre for Science and Environment said that, despite technical measures to curb emissions, vehicular emission was the top pollution cause in the city, accounting for 51.1% of it. The emission inventory studies for Delhi done by IIT-Kanpur in 2015, TERI-ARAI in 2018, and SAFAR in 2018 also point out that the transport sector's contribution to PM2.5 is 20%, 39%, and 41%, respectively.

Dharitri Youth Conclave 2025: Sunita Narain advocates for environmental justice

Sunita Narain is a leading Indian environmentalist, currently serving as the Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and the editor of its fortnightly magazine, Down To Earth. With over four decades of experience, she has been at the forefront of advocating for sustainable development, climate justice, and the environmental concerns of the Global South. Sunita will attend the fifth edition of the Dharitri Youth Conclave as the chief speaker and address the next generation of environmental leaders on the urgent need for action on climate change. Sunita’s work focuses on integrating environmental issues with social justice, particularly in marginalised communities. She has contributed extensively to air pollution control, water management, sanitation, and climate change, using research and public advocacy to push for transformative and inclusive policies. Her works in India, especially on rainwater harvesting, river conservation, and air quality improvement, have influenced national policies and led to real-world changes such as the switch from diesel to natural gas in New Delhi’s public transport system. Sunita’s contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri, the Stockholm Water Prize, and inclusion in TIME 100 (2016) as one of the world’s most influential people. Her advocacy for climate justice has been recognised globally, and she continues to champion the cause of environmental policies that prioritise both equity and sustainability.

Jaipur Emerges as India’s Third Most Polluted City

It is in a sharp disclosure that highlights the intensifying air pollution crisis affecting the whole of India, that Jaipur has shot up to third most polluted city in the country, only after the smog-afflicted Delhi-NCR region and the industrial-hotspot of Byrnihat, on the Assam-Meghalaya border. As the recent data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and supported by independent monitoring organizations such as IQAir show, the city of Jaipur, which used to be prided on its architectural beauty and cultural energy, finds itself on the bad list along with other long-term polluters this November with the Air Quality Index (AQI) of slightly less than 300 micrograms of PM2.5 per square meter, which the World Health Organization (WHO) considers dangerous. Delhi-NCR, which has long been associated with poisonous winter air, registered an average of AQI of 450 on November 22 due to crop residue fire in the driver states and vehicles. According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report released by IQAir earlier this year, Byrnihat, a small town with cement factories and lax regulation, leads the national rankings with an average concentration of PM2.5 of 128.2 μg/m 3 per year. For advertisement on our platform, do call at +91 6377460764 or email us at contact@thephilox.com. The fact that Jaipur has been able to rise to third place in a rapid promotion, with spikes of AQI of 380 this week, is indicative of a troubling pattern: pollution is no longer restricted to limited areas of northern industrial belts, but is rapidly spreading into the tourist destination of Rajasthan, jeopardizing the health and economic well-being of its people.The reasons behind the pollution explosion in Jaipur are complex, based on a poisonous combination of urban growth, seasonal changes, and structural lapses. The climate of Rajasthan is arid and thus increases dust storms but the Diwali festivities in November have worsened the situation. Cracks and cracks of firecracker that actually should not be burst, but the state-wide ban was disregarded, dispersed hazy clouds of particulate matter, and the process of stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and blanketed the city under a hazy cover. Traffic vehicles are also in the villainous role: the heavy traffic on the roads of Jaipur with more than 2.5 million registered vehicles produces harmful fumes due to the old engines and low fuel quality. The city is experiencing a boom in real estate construction which has contributed to fine particles due to construction dust as well as industrial effluents that settle in the deep parts of the lungs. The outer areas of Jaipur are home to more than 1,200 small-scale manufacturing units such as textile dyeing and marble processing units, which emit untreated effluents without proper scrubbers. In Greater Jaipur, the report by the Centre of Science and Environment (CSE), recently pointed at volatile organic compounds in these factories as the cause of a 152 percent increase in excessive-ozone days per year in 2023-2024. Designed to serve as a natural protective barrier, the Aravalli hills are worn out by the illegal mining process, which has not reduced pollutants to stagnation, says Dr. Anjali Singh, an environmental scientist, at the Rajasthan University. This is mixed with low wind speeds this month -average of only 5 km/h -the air has become a soup of carcinogens.The human price is gruesome and direct. The health professionals warn that there is a chance of five-years reduction in life expectancy in an affected area due to long-term exposure to such levels, which is also reflected in the global study by the Health Effects Institute. Hospitals in Jaipur alone were reporting a 40 percent outbreak in respiratory cases last week with children and the elderly taking the brunt. Asthma attacks have been on the increase and cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are flooding the public clinics. Meera Devi, a Jaipur resident of Vaishali Nagar, where AQI topped 410 yesterday, shared the story about her son who now coughs at night, although he is only eight years old. We can not even open windows anymore. Air pollution is the leading cause of premature death to more than 1.6 million people every year in the country and the cost associated with the issue is estimated at 1.36 lakh crore annually in terms of healthcare and productivity loss, which is not unique to Jaipur, but rather a national epidemic. India boasts 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world according to the results of IQAir, with Begusarai, Greater Noida, and Bhiwadi close behind. The notorious smog season in Delhi has lengthened to November and even schools are closing and odd-even car rationing taking place. The situation of Byrnihat can be attributed to the independent nature of industries, a warning to the peripheral factories in Jaipur. According to the statements of environmental activist Vimlendu Jha of Think5 Media, pollution knows no borders. The reaction of the government has been both hasty and inefficient. On November 20, Chief Minister of Rajasthan Bhajan Lal Sharma announced a 500-crore anti-pollution package, which comprised 1,000 electric-powered buses for Jaipur and maximum enforcement of the firecracker ban. The CPCB also switched on Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR and banned coal combustion and inter-state trucking, which may also spread to Jaipur in case the AQI deteriorates. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) targets to reduce PM by 40 percent by 2026 nationally but efforts are hampered by a lack of coordination, with most of the funds that have been owed over the years still not disbursed in Rajasthan.However, this has been criticized by experts who claim that the piecemeal approach is not working. “It will not be enough to ban but a multi-pronged approach is required as proposed by Sumit Sharma, director of the TERI School of Advanced Studies in Delhi. Create a policy of encouragement of public transport, standards on industrial emissions through real-time monitoring and rehabilitate the Aravalli green belt with 1.35 billion native trees as suggested in the Great Green Wall project. Community campaigns are picking up: Jaipur is developing its own Green Jaipur campaign led by local NGOs with 50,000 saplings planted in the city this monsoon and schools are also incorporating air quality lessons in the curriculum. It is not merely a statistic that Jaipur made it to the polluted podium, but an omen of a systemic change. People are attracted to its forts to experience the heritage, and locals suffocate to breathe clean air in the splendor. Sharma pleads Our city of pink walls does merit blue skies. As it is projected to have no wind by December, it is up to the policymakers to the industries and citizens to take decisive actions. There is no such thing as failure, it is already claimed lives. The situation in Jaipur can be the first step towards bringing a long-overdue clean air revolution in India, or even another dark episode in an ugly history.