BREATHLESS BORDERS :

SOLVING NORTH INDIA’S

AIR EMERGENCY
DCET RESEARCH
COMPETITION 2025
PRESENTED BY : ANKUL SINGH(23503)
MENTOR: Dr. SONIA SHARMA MAM
Email : ankul16571@[Link]
 ABSTRACT
Northern India faces a growing air pollution crisis, with New Delhi,
Punjab, and Haryana frequently recording hazardous AQI levels,
especially during winter.
This study analyzes key pollution drivers—vehicular emissions,
stubble burning, and industrial activity—using real-time AQI data,
satellite imagery, and CPCB reports from 2023–2024.
It assesses the limitations of current mitigation efforts and
proposes an integrated, region-specific strategy combining policy
reforms, low-cost technologies like bio-decomposers, and active
community participation.
The goal is to shift from reactive seasonal measures to a year-
round, sustainable air quality management approach.
 Aqi
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a scale used to measure how clean or
polluted the air is. It ranges from 0 (Good) to 500 (Hazardous).
Why is AQI Important?
• Poor air quality affects our lungs, heart, and brain.
• Long-term exposure can cause diseases like asthma, cancer, and even
strokes.
• It also damages crops, reduces visibility, and harms animals.
AQI Scale (Simplified):
• 0–50: Good
• 51–100: Moderate
• 101–200: Unhealthy for sensitive
• 201–300: Very Unhealthy
• 301–500: Hazardous
 🖇
OBJECTIVES
Main Objectives:
• To analyze the key reasons behind poor air quality in
New Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana
• To understand how pollution varies by season and
region
• To propose simple, cost-effective, and long-term
solutions
• To raise awareness among youth and the community
 AIR QUALITY SNAPSHOT
Average AQI (2024 Overview):
• New Delhi: 250–400 (Very Unhealthy to Hazardous)
• Punjab (Ludhiana, Amritsar): 180–280 (Unhealthy
to Very Unhealthy)
• Haryana (Gurugram, Faridabad): 190–300
(Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy)
 MAIN POLLUTANTS
Key Pollutants Affecting Air Quality:
• PM2.5 – Tiny particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream.
• PM10 – Larger dust particles harmful to the respiratory system.
• NOx 🚗(Nitrogen Oxides) – Released by vehicles and power plants.
• SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide) – Comes from burning coal and fossil fuels.
• CO 🚗(Carbon Monoxide) – A colorless, poisonous gas from
incomplete fuel burning.
• Ozone (O3) – Forms when pollutants react in sunlight; harmful at
ground level.
 NEW DELHI During winters ,Delhi
oftens tops list of the
world’s most polluted
cities
Why is Delhi’s Air So Polluted?
• Vehicular Emissions – Millions of vehicles with outdated engines
and poor fuel quality.
• Construction Dust – Constant building activity without proper dust
control.
• Industrial Pollution – Factories and power plants release heavy
smoke.
• Stubble Burning (Nearby States) – Smoke drifts in from Punjab and
Haryana.
• Firecrackers and Festivals – Especially during Diwali, air turns toxic.
 PUNJAB
Main Causes of Pollution in Punjab:
• Stubble Burning – Farmers burn leftover crop residue in October-
November.
• Use of Chemical Fertilizers – Releases ammonia and other pollutants.
• Vehicular Traffic in Cities – Especially in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and
Amritsar.
• Industrial Emissions – From textile, paper, and fertilizer industries.
• Poor Waste Management – Burning of plastic and solid waste.
 HARYANA
Pollution Sources in Haryana:
• Agricultural Burning – Similar to Punjab, with added impact in
western districts.
• Industrial Areas – Panipat, Faridabad, and Bahadurgarh are major
hubs.
• Traffic and Urbanization – High vehicle density in cities like
Gurugram.
• Open Waste Burning – Common in both urban and rural zones.
• Brick Kilns – Thousands of small, unregulated kilns around towns.
 SEASONABLE TRENDS
Why is Winter the Worst?
• Low Wind Speed – Pollutants hang in the air longer.
• Temperature Inversion – Cold air traps pollution near the ground.
• Crop Burning Season – Happens just before winter (Oct–Nov).
• Use of Firewood & Heaters – Adds smoke in rural and slum areas.
 Impact on Human Health
Delhi children have 30% less
How Air Pollution Affects Us: lung capacity than those living
in cleaner areas (according to
• Short-term: Coughing, throat irritation, red eyes, breathing a 2019 study).

issues
• Long-term: Asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke
• At-risk groups: Children, elderly, pregnant women, and people
with asthma.
 CURRENT MEASURES BY GOVT.
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) – 2019
- Aims to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 20-30% by 2024 (extended to 2026).
Stubble Burning Management
- In-Situ Solutions:
Subsidies for Happy Seeder and Super Straw Management Systems (SMS) to avoid stubble burning.
CRISPR technology (by ICAR) to decompose crop residue quickly.
- Ex-Situ Solutions:
Biomass power plants and industrial use of crop residue (e.g., in packaging).
CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) enforces penalties on stubble burning.
Vehicular Pollution Control
- Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) fuel standards (since 2020) to reduce vehicular emissions.
- Push for Electric Vehicles (EVs):
FAME-II scheme (subsidies for EVs).
Delhi’s EV Policy (2020) aims for 25% EVs by 2027.
Odd-Even Scheme (in Delhi) to restrict private vehicles.
- Expansion of Metro & Public Transport (e.g., Delhi Metro, electric buses)
Industrial & Construction Pollution Control
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) (since 2017):
Emergency measures (like ban on construction, diesel gensets) during severe pollution days.
Shift to PNG (Piped Natural Gas) for industries to replace coal.
Dust mitigation norms for construction sites (water sprinkling, smog guns).
 CURRENT APPROACH PROBLEMS
1. Short-Term Fixes Over Long-Term Solutions 5. Overemphasis on Stubble Burning (10-15%)
- GRAPP activated too late (after pollution peaks). - Ignores bigger polluters:
- Reactive measures (smog towers, odd-even) - Vehicles (28%) – Poor public transport.
lack sustainability. - Industry (18%) – Unregulated small factories.
- Dust (17%) – Weak construction norms.
2. Weak Enforcement & Compliance
- Industries still use illegal fuels (coal, petcoke).
6. Lack of Data & Accountability
- PUC norms ignored, stubble burning continues
- Insufficient air quality monitors.
despite bans.
- No penalties for failing pollution targets.
3. Poor Interstate Coordination
- Delhi vs. Punjab/Haryana blame game. 7. Political & Economic Barriers
- CAQM lacks power to enforce regional action. - Farmers protest strict bans.
- Industry lobbying against stricter norms.
4. Ineffective Farmer Support
- Happy Seeders & bio-decomposers not 8. Public Behavior Challenges
scalable. - Diwali cracker bans flouted.
- No MSP for alternative crops (farmers stick to - Waste burning continues in suburbs.
paddy).
 PROBLEMS WITH CURRENT APPROACH
The current approach is partially effective but lacks consistency, enforcement,
and holistic planning. Without addressing root causes (economic, political, and
systemic), Northern India will continue facing annual pollution emergencies.
What’s Needed?
1. Preventive, Not Reactive Measures
- Year-round action, not just October-January.
2. Stronger Federal Coordination
- Empower CAQM with legal teeth for interstate enforcement.
3. Economic Incentives for Farmers
- MSP for non-paddy crops, faster subsidy disbursement.
4. Strict Industrial & Vehicular Enforcement
- Shut down illegal industries, expand metro/EV infrastructure.
5. Transparent Monitoring & Accountability
- Publicly name underperforming districts/states
 REAL WORLD SOLUTIONS
1. Stubble-to-Profit Models
Solution: Pay farmers for crop residue → convert to biofuels/paper.
✅ Case Study:
- Punjab’s COMBINE Project (India): Farmers sell stubble to biomass plants
(reduces burning by 30% in pilot areas).
- Happy Seeder Adoption (Haryana): 50% fewer fires in villages using subsidized
seeders (ICAR data).

2. Car-Free Cities + EV Mobility

Solution: Pedestrian zones + electric last-mile transport.
✅ Case Study:
- Oslo (Norway) : Banned cars in city center (60% drop in CO2 since 2019).
- Shenzhen (China) : 100% electric buses (reduced PM2.5 by 35% in 5 years).

3. Industrial Pollution-Sharing
Solution: Small industries pool funds for shared scrubbers.
✅ Case Study:
- Tirupur Textile Cluster (India): 200 factories cut emissions by 90% with shared
treatment plants.
 SOLUTIONS
4. Behavioral Nudges via Tech
Solution: App-based rewards for green actions.
✅ Case Study:
- Beijing’s "Blue Sky" App (China): Citizens report violations → 20% faster resolution
(UNEP report).

7. Solar-Powered Smog Towers

Solution: Renewable energy-driven air purifiers.
✅ Case Study:
- Xi’an (China) : World’s largest smog tower cuts PM2.5 by 15% in 1 km radius. These models already
work globally—India can
adapt them with local
8. Celebrity-Led Awareness
tweaks.
Solution: Star ambassadors for clean air.
✅ Case Study:
- London’s "Clean Air King" Campaign : Prince William promoted EVs → 25% surge in
public support.
 sustainable STUBBLE management
Why Stubble Burning Persists
- 30-35 million tons of paddy stubble burnt annually in North India (Punjab/Haryana).
- Contributes 10-15% of Delhi’s winter PM2.5 (SAFAR).
- Farmer’s Dilemma: Short window (20-25 days) ⏰ between rice harvest & wheat sowing.
 PROVEN SOLUTIONS
1. Rice Bio Parks
- How? Stubble → Cardboard/paper/animal feed.
- Case Study:
- Punjab’s Malout Bio Park: Processes 40,000 tons/year into packaging material
(supported by Punjab Govt.).

2. Bio-CNG/Bio-LNG Plants
- How? Stubble → Compressed biogas (CBG).
- India’s Progress:
- 26+ plants operational (e.g., Fazilka’s Verbio plant uses 100,000 tons/year).
- GOI’s SATAT Scheme: Targets 5,000 CBG plants by 2025.

3. Pusa Decomposer
- How? Fungi-based capsules decompose stubble in 20 days.
- Impact:
- 90% reduction in burning in pilot villages (IARI data).
- Cost: ₹1,000/acre (subsidized by Delhi Govt.).
 THANK YOU
Let’s breathe better, together.

“The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful
stewardship.”

PRESENTED BY : ANKUL SINGH

MENTOR : Dr. SONIA SHARMA
DCET RESEARCH COMPETITION’25
METHODOLOGY & SOURCES
How This Research Was Done:
• Data Sources:
• CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board)
• SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research)
• IQAir Reports
• NASA Satellite Data (for crop burning)
• News articles and journal papers
• Approach:
• Collected and compared AQI data for 2019–2024
• Identified peak pollution months and causes
• Researched government policies and proposed solutions