Daily Mains Question – GS 3 - 16th June 2025
- TPP
- Jun 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 17
Welcome to your daily Mains Model Answer — designed to bridge the gap between policy insight and analytical reasoning, just the way UPSC tests in GS Papers. Today’s answer critically examines India’s air pollution crisis, with a focus on gaps in air quality monitoring infrastructure and dust control strategies.
Despite multiple interventions like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), cities such as Delhi continue to record dangerously high levels of particulate matter — particularly PM10, often exceeding national standards by three to four times. This issue is highly relevant for GS Paper 3 (Environment and Ecology, Pollution Control) and offers important takeaways for understanding the interplay between urban governance, public health, and environmental sustainability — valuable also for essay writing and disaster management case studies.
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QUESTION 1
The persistent air pollution crisis underscores the need for effective air quality monitoring and dust control measures. Critically analyse the shortcomings in the current air quality monitoring infrastructure and dust mitigation strategies.
Answer: Air pollution has emerged as one of India's most pressing environmental challenges, especially in urban areas like Delhi. Despite several policy measures, including the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched in 2019, the desired improvement in air quality remains elusive. A major part of this failure stems from gaps in air quality monitoring infrastructure and ineffective dust mitigation strategies. As per the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Delhi recorded the highest PM10 levels among 130 Indian cities under NCAP for FY 2024–25, highlighting the urgent need for corrective action.
Current State of Air Quality Monitoring and Dust Pollution
PM10 Concentration Trends:
Delhi recorded an annual average PM10 concentration of 206 µg/m³, followed by Byrinhat (200 µg/m³) and Patna (180 µg/m³).
These figures are 3–4 times higher than the WHO recommended limit and the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 60 µg/m³.
Monitoring Infrastructure Issues:
Most of Delhi’s 40 air quality monitoring stations are located in residential areas, not in pollution hotspots like industrial zones, traffic intersections, or construction sites.
A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report revealed that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was calculated using insufficient and inaccurate data, violating Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines.
Despite a 15% reduction in PM10 since the 2017-18 baseline, Delhi remains far from achieving the NCAP target of 40% reduction by 2025–26.
Shortcomings in Dust Mitigation Strategies
High Proportion of Road Dust:
Road dust contributes to approximately 60% of PM10 pollution in Delhi.
PM10 particles, though larger and easier to capture than PM2.5, are still poorly managed due to infrastructural and administrative gaps.
Poor Municipal Services:
According to IIT Delhi, simple measures like pothole repairs, paving of unpaved roads, and removal of garbage dumps could reduce pollution by 15–25%.
However, conflicts between Delhi’s elected government and the Centre’s appointee (Lt. Governor) led to neglect of such basic services during much of the AAP government’s tenure.
Ineffective Construction Dust Control:
An IIT Kanpur study highlights that vertical covering of construction sites, water sprinkling, and use of windbreakers can improve air quality by up to 50%.
These strategies are often poorly enforced or entirely absent at most urban construction sites.
NCAP Implementation – Progress and Gaps
NCAP Scope:
Encompasses 131 non-attainment cities across 24 states, targeting 40% PM reduction or achievement of NAAQS by 2025–26.
Evaluates performance on a financial year basis, using PM10 as the primary indicator.
Progress So Far:
Out of 102 cities with CAAQMS data:
77 showed improvement, 23 reported increases, and 2 remained unchanged.
21 cities achieved over 40% reduction, including 10 from Uttar Pradesh like Bareilly (78% reduction), the best performer.
However, 91 cities still exceeded PM10 standards in FY 2024–25, showing limited overall success.
Poor Enforcement and Coordination:
Inter-agency conflict and lack of local capacity, combined with poor enforcement of construction norms and vehicular emission standards, continue to hamper NCAP implementation.
Conclusion
Despite policies like the NCAP and increasing awareness, India's air quality remains poor due to fragmented monitoring infrastructure and half-hearted dust mitigation strategies. The mislocation of monitoring stations, inadequate data usage, and weak enforcement of dust control regulations reflect governance deficits. Delhi, now under a "double engine sarkar", must rise above past administrative discord and prioritize robust municipal services, strict construction dust control, and strategic expansion of air quality monitoring in high-impact zones. Only then can meaningfully progress toward clean air be achieved — not just in Delhi, but across Indian cities.
Way Forward:
Rationalize and expand CAAQMS networks to include industrial and high-traffic zones.
Make dust mitigation guidelines legally binding, with real-time compliance tracking.
Empower urban local bodies with funds and technical capacity for street maintenance and solid waste management.
Strengthen public transparency in air quality data and NCAP progress reporting.
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