The iconic Taj Mahal, an enduring symbol of love and architectural brilliance, finds itself shrouded in toxic smog each year, especially during the winter months in the northern city of Agra.
“When I stepped out of my house, it felt like I was inhaling smoke,” says Imran Ahmed Ali, an attorney living in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh, reflecting the dire air quality that plagues the region.
Pollution levels in Chandigarh, India’s first planned city located approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) from the capital, Delhi, have alarmingly exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) safe limit by more than 15 times for over a month.
It is now common for air quality in the city to dip every winter. However, Mr. Ali asserts that he has never experienced such severe illness before this season.
Weeks ago, the 31-year-old began suffering from a dry cough and shortness of breath, which he initially brushed off as merely a seasonal cold. But as the temperatures plunged, his chest congestion intensified, compelling him to seek medical advice.
“After running several tests, the doctor confirmed that my symptoms were triggered by pollution. I’m now on medication twice daily to manage my breathing,” he explains, emphasizing the health risks faced by residents.
Mr. Ali represents a staggering number of hundreds of millions living in northern India, who endure the consequences of toxic air for prolonged periods every winter.
Data from the Swiss firm IQAir indicate that last year, eight of the ten most polluted cities in the world were situated in the Indo-Gangetic plains, a heavily populated area that spans northern and eastern India, as well as sections of Pakistan and Nepal.
A recent report from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago reinforces the alarming fact that the northern plains, home to 540.7 million individuals across states like Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, have become the most polluted region in India. Compared to WHO standards, the pollution levels currently could shave off an average of 5.4 years from life expectancy for people living there.
Despite the annual wrath of toxic smog every winter, the headlines tend to focus predominantly on Delhi, the capital city, often leaving other affected regions in the shadows.
Delhi attracts significant attention due to its status as India’s capital, comments Partha Basu, a strategic advisor at the Environmental Defense Fund, a non-profit dedicated to climate solutions.
Each year, the Delhi government undertakes an action plan that includes measures such as driving restrictions and a ban on construction activities during peak pollution periods. However, even with criticism suggesting these measures are insufficient, many other cities in northern India lack such proactive initiatives.
Mr. Basu notes that many people often do not link other areas of northern India, especially smaller towns and rural communities, to high pollution levels.
Pollution in the region arises from a multitude of sources. Factors contributing to this environmental crisis include construction activities, vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and the seasonal practice of burning crop residue.
While some of these factors persist throughout the year, winter months from October to January exacerbate the situation due to specific weather conditions.
The air quality deteriorates each winter as cold, stagnant air traps pollutants close to the ground, making it increasingly challenging to disperse, explains Mahesh Palawat, vice president of meteorology and climate change at Skymet, a weather forecasting service.
The geographic limitations of the Indo-Gangetic Plain aggravate their plight. Being landlocked, the region is surrounded by mountains and lacks the robust winds necessary to disperse the trapped polluted air.
Doctors and health experts underscore the dire health implications of inhaling polluted air.
“Patients frequently report a burning sensation in their eyes and throat upon stepping outside. Some experience difficulty breathing,” states Dr. Rajesh Gupta, director of the pulmonary department at Fortis Hospital in Greater Noida, located in Uttar Pradesh state.
Dr. Gupta emphasizes that even individuals in good health are susceptible to respiratory issues during this season, with children and the elderly being particularly at risk.
The bleak air quality also inflicts a mental toll on residents. Aditi Garg, who works in Meerut, a town about 100 kilometers from Delhi, recalls how she relished the tranquil mornings on her balcony, a simple pleasure that has now been upended.
Since mid-October, pollution levels in Meerut have consistently hovered at “poor” to “severe” classifications, rendering it difficult to breathe, forcing her to remain indoors.
Ms. Garg now finds herself predominantly confined within her home near her air purifier, striving to shield herself from the hazardous air that looms outside. “I have no choice but to stay inside; this is the best I can do,” she remarks, highlighting a grim reality for many.
Not everyone, however, has the luxury of staying indoors. In Uttar Pradesh alone, over 83 million individuals are registered as workers in the unorganised sector, a figure likely to be an underrepresentation of the actual count.
This demographic encompasses daily wage laborers, street vendors, and agricultural workers who cannot escape the necessity of outdoor work, thereby jeopardizing their health daily.
Mohammad Salim Siddiqui, standing outside his modest dwelling in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, gasps for air as he speaks to the enormity of the pollution crisis.
As an automobile spare parts vendor and the primary provider for his family, Mr. Siddiqui faces this challenge head-on each day.
“Two members of my family suffer from respiratory ailments because of the pollution,” he laments, noting that the situation is particularly severe in overcrowded slum areas. “We need help,” he pleads, pressing for urgent attention to their plight.
Various state governments have attempted to address the pollution crisis over the years.
The targets were adjusted to aim for a 40% reduction in PM10 levels by 2026.
This initiative requires 131 Indian cities, many situated in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, to develop tailored action plans to tackle local pollution sources effectively.
Although there have been strides in raising awareness and setting ambitious targets, experts assert that more decisive actions and improved cooperation between local and state authorities are vital for substantial change.
Mr. Basu identifies the lack of communication as the principal obstacle preventing meaningful progress.
Both Ms. Garg and Mr. Ali echo this sentiment, expressing concern over the absence of discourse regarding air quality issues in their communities.
“People have unfortunately accepted this as a part of their lives,” remarks Mr. Ali, highlighting a troubling normalization of environmental degradation.
“The topic emerges annually during peak pollution periods, only to be swept aside until the next wave of toxic air returns,” he adds, articulating a sense of frustration felt by many residents.
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How can community engagement and awareness be enhanced to combat air pollution issues in northern India?
**Interview: Addressing Air Pollution in Northern India**
**Host:** Welcome to our show. Today, we’re focusing on a pressing issue affecting millions in northern India—air pollution. We’re joined by Imran Ahmed Ali, an attorney from Chandigarh, and Partha Basu, a strategic advisor at the Environmental Defense Fund. Thank you both for being here.
**Imran, let’s start with you. You’ve experienced the effects of pollution firsthand. Can you share your experiences this winter?**
**Imran Ahmed Ali:** Thank you for having me. This winter has been particularly challenging. I’ve never experienced such severe health issues due to air quality before. Initially, I thought my symptoms—a dry cough and shortness of breath—were just a seasonal cold. After consulting with a doctor, I learned that pollution triggered these issues. It’s alarming to see how toxic the air has become, especially since pollution levels in Chandigarh have exceeded WHO safe limits by more than 15 times.
**Host:** That’s concerning. Partha, considering the data indicating that cities in the Indo-Gangetic Plains are among the most polluted in the world, how significant is the government’s response in these regions?**
**Partha Basu:** The government’s response is critical, but unfortunately, it’s often uneven. While Delhi gets a great deal of attention and implements action plans, many other cities like Chandigarh and smaller towns lack proactive measures. What we need is a holistic approach that includes all regions affected by pollution, not just the capital. The challenges are multifaceted—stemming from construction, vehicular emissions, and crop burning—and require tailored action plans that address local sources effectively.
**Host:** Speaking of local action, Imran, how do residents in your community feel about the measures being taken, or the lack thereof?**
**Imran Ahmed Ali:** There’s a sense of despair among many residents. We’re aware that pollution is an ongoing issue each winter, but the conversation often revolves around Delhi. Other cities like ours are feeling neglected. People are concerned; many of us have family members suffering from respiratory issues. We need urgent action—not just awareness but effective policies that will lead to measurable improvements in our air quality.
**Host:** Indeed, it highlights how interconnected these communities are. Partha, in your view, what can be done to increase awareness and elevate the urgency of addressing pollution beyond major urban centers?**
**Partha Basu:** Education is key. We need to engage communities in understanding the health implications of polluted air and the resources available for protection. Local governments should be encouraged to launch awareness campaigns and involve citizens in developing action plans. Furthermore, media coverage should amplify the struggle faced by these communities, ensuring that the pollution crisis in regions like Chandigarh and Kanpur is recognized as a national priority.
**Host:** Those are insightful points. Before we wrap up, let’s touch on the human aspect. Imran, could you share how the pollution crisis impacts your daily life and that of your neighbors?**
**Imran Ahmed Ali:** Absolutely. Many in my neighborhood, particularly those working outdoors, like laborers and street vendors, cannot escape the harsh conditions. Our daily routines have changed drastically; people are more confined indoors due to the fear of pollution-related health issues. It’s not just a physical health concern, but it also takes a mental toll; the anxiety of going outside, especially for children and the elderly, is palpable.
**Host:** The impact is indeed widespread. Thank you, Imran and Partha, for discussing this critical issue with us today. The pollution crisis in northern India requires urgent attention and action. We hope to see progress in addressing it for the health and well-being of countless residents. Thank you for joining us.