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In India, air pollution remains a silent killer, reducing life expectancy and causing thousands of deaths annually. While ordinary citizens and the media often raise concerns, government action – or the lack thereof – paints a grim picture. Here’s what we uncovered.
harmful effects of pollution
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Air pollution reduces the life expectancy of Delhiites on average. 11.9 years,Energy Policy Institute, University of Chicago,
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In 10 major cities of India, 7% deaths is attributed to air pollution with an annual loss of more than 33,000 lives,The Lancet,
Funds allocated but not utilized
Since 2019, under National Clean Air Program (NCAP)The central government has allocated ₹11,210 crorebut only ₹8,011 crore have been spent. For example:
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Delhi: ₹42 crore allocated, but only ₹12.6 crore spent.
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Noida: ₹30.89 crore allocated, only ₹1.43 crore spent.
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Faridabad: ₹73.53 crore allocated, ₹28.6 crore spent.
workforce reduction
half term in State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) And Pollution Control Committees (PCC) spacing out. out of 11,562 posts sanctioned, 5,671 (49.04%) are incomplete.
countries like China And denmark Provide valuable lessons:
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Beijing It increased its anti-pollution budget to $2.6 billion by 2017, implemented electric buses and cut coal consumption.
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Copenhagen Cycling was prioritized and “waste-to-energy” policies were implemented to become one of the cleanest cities in the world.
Where is India going wrong?
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The funds are not spent.
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Key posts in pollution control bodies are vacant.
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Instead of addressing pollution, politicians focus on elections and blame each other.
So we ask: Sir, how?
