Delhi’s air quality nears ‘severe’ level, pollution crosses 400-mark in 15 stations | India News – Hindustan Times

Report on Delhi’s Air Quality and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary: A Challenge to Urban Sustainability and Public Health

• Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated significantly, reaching the ‘very poor’ category and nearing ‘severe’ levels.
• This environmental crisis presents a direct challenge to achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• The persistence of high pollution levels underscores the urgent need for actions aligned with SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Air Quality Index (AQI) Analysis

• The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), stood at 361 on Saturday at 4 pm.
• The index worsened to 372 by 6 pm, indicating a continuing decline in air quality.
• The primary pollutants of concern remain PM2.5 and PM10, which have well-documented adverse effects on human health, directly impacting the targets of SDG 3.

Impact on Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)

The goal of creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments is severely compromised by the current pollution levels. Data indicates a widespread problem across the national capital and surrounding regions.

Monitoring Station Data

1. Of the 39 monitoring stations in Delhi, 15 reported an AQI at or above the ‘severe’ threshold of 400.
2. Specific stations recording ‘severe’ air quality included:
   • Wazirpur (424)
   • Bawana (424)
   • Burari Crossing (420)
   • Alipur (417)
   • Vivek Vihar (415)
   • Jahangirpuri (409)
   • ITO (408)
   • Rohini (408)

National Capital Region (NCR) Status

• The pollution crisis extends to the broader NCR, with several cities recording ‘very poor’ air quality:
• Noida: AQI of 354
• Ghaziabad: AQI of 339
• Greater Noida: AQI of 336

Implications for Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

The recorded AQI levels pose a direct threat to public health, undermining the core objective of SDG 3 to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.

• An AQI between 301-400 (‘very poor’) can lead to respiratory illness upon prolonged exposure.
• An AQI between 401-500 (‘severe’) affects even healthy individuals and poses a serious risk to those with pre-existing health conditions.

Forecast and Outlook

• The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has predicted that air quality will remain in the ‘very poor’ category over the next few days.
• This sustained period of hazardous air quality necessitates immediate and long-term interventions that align with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) to mitigate the root causes of pollution and protect public health.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s central theme is the severe air pollution in Delhi, which poses a direct threat to the health and well-being of its residents. The mention of air quality reaching “severe” levels, with an AQI over 400, directly correlates with increased risks of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, and other health issues. The image caption, “People wear masks… amid smog,” further illustrates the immediate health precautions citizens are forced to take, highlighting the connection to public health.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The article focuses on Delhi, a major urban center, and its struggle with a critical environmental problem. The persistently “very poor” and “severe” air quality indicates a failure in urban environmental management, making the city less sustainable and livable. The problem affects not just Delhi but the wider “NCR region,” underscoring the challenge of managing environmental quality in large urban agglomerations.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

  The article’s detailed reporting on Delhi’s air pollution levels directly relates to this target. The high concentration of pollutants, as indicated by AQI values like 361, 372, and over 400, represents a significant source of illness. The entire article is a commentary on the presence of “air… pollution,” which this target aims to mitigate to protect human health.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

  This target is directly addressed as the article’s sole focus is the adverse environmental impact of poor “air quality” in the city of Delhi. The report that “Delhi’s air quality worsened on Saturday as pollution levels exceeded the 400-mark” is a clear measurement of this adverse impact. The article highlights the city’s failure to manage its air quality, a key component of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 3.9 and 11.6: Air Quality Index (AQI)

  The article extensively uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) as the primary metric to communicate the severity of pollution. Specific values are repeatedly mentioned: “The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI)… stood at 361,” “It worsened further to 372,” and “15 out of the 39 stations in Delhi reported an AQI at or above the 400-mark.” The CPCB’s classification of AQI levels (good, satisfactory, poor, severe) is also detailed, making the AQI a clear, quantifiable indicator used to measure the state of air pollution.

• Indicator for Target 11.6: Levels of PM2.5 and PM10

  The article explicitly identifies the specific pollutants that are being measured to determine air quality. It states, “PM2.5 and PM10 continue to be the key pollutants on Saturday.” This directly corresponds to the official SDG indicator 11.6.2, which is the “annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities.” The article confirms that these specific particulates are the basis for the air quality warnings, making them a core indicator.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators’ to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: hindustantimes.com