Can Indian cities beat back pollution successfully?

We take pride in India’s rich culture, traditions, diversity, food, and landscapes but take a pause when it’s time to comment on the air quality of our cities. We often find ourselves complaining about the exorbitant pollution levels and the constant stench typical of urban areas, failing to realize that this is our doing. 

Cyclones have become a frequent phenomenon in Mumbai, Delhi has become one of the most polluted cities in the world, and floods in Bangalore have disrupted many lives and businesses this year. These unforeseen occurrences are a result of climate change and global warming, which are worsened by the growing pollution in our country. 

By 2030, the world will have 43 megacities with a population of more than 10 million, the majority of them in developing nations, predicts the United Nations’ World Cities Report 2018. By the end of this decade, India is expected to have 1.37 billion people, making it the most populated nation in the world. In fact, Delhi is claimed to be the most polluted capital city in the world. 

An enormous rise in air pollution has been caused by anthropogenic activities, increasing industrialization, and growing urbanization. Persistent traffic, industrial pollutants, garbage burning, and the combustion of fuels for lighting, heating, and cooking all contribute to the poor air quality in cities. These, however, are not the only factors that contribute to pollution. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generation in Delhi increased at a rate of more than 2000% between 1971 and 2015.