Prof. G.S.Rajwar
The World Air Quality Report 2024 by IQAir presents a damning picture of India’s air pollution crisis, with Byrnihat in Assam ranked as the most polluted city globally and Delhi retaining its position as the most polluted capital. India, home to 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world, faces an environmental catastrophe that is not just an ecological but also a severe public health emergency. The economic, social, and political implications of unchecked pollution demand urgent attention. The nation’s struggle with pollution is not a mere byproduct of industrialization but a systemic failure in governance, regulatory enforcement, and prioritization of sustainable development.
Byrnihat’s crisis is a microcosm of India’s larger environmental predicament. The town, a crucial industrial hub between Assam and Meghalaya, suffers from extreme air pollution due to emissions from iron and steel plants, distilleries, cement factories, and beverage production units. Heavy vehicular traffic further exacerbates the issue, compounding the air quality crisis. These industries are not only responsible for carbon emissions but also contribute significantly to the release of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. The lack of effective enforcement mechanisms has allowed polluters to operate with impunity, pushing air quality to hazardous levels. Despite existing regulations, such as the National Steel Policy and environmental standards for emission control, non-compliance remains rampant due to inadequate oversight and political inertia.
The health implications of air pollution in India are staggering. The reduction in life expectancy by 5.2 years, as estimated by studies, is a grim testament to the crisis. Diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and cardiovascular ailments have surged, placing an immense burden on India’s healthcare system. The economic cost of pollution is equally alarming. A 2021 report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) estimated that air pollution alone costs India nearly 1.36% of its GDP annually. This includes medical expenses, loss of productivity, and environmental degradation. The correlation between poor air quality and declining workforce efficiency underscores how pollution is not just an environmental issue but a direct impediment to economic progress.
When assessing regulatory frameworks, India does not lack environmental laws. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986, provide comprehensive legal mechanisms to curb pollution. However, the primary issue lies in enforcement. In contrast to developed nations like the United States, where the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) imposes stringent regulations with heavy penalties, India’s enforcement agencies are often underfunded and plagued by bureaucratic inefficiencies. The European Union has successfully implemented the Emissions Trading System (ETS), ensuring that industries pay for their pollution, an approach that India has failed to adopt effectively. China, which faced similar environmental challenges, has aggressively tackled pollution through heavy fines, industrial restructuring, and significant investments in renewable energy. India’s regulatory failures stem from political reluctance, industrial lobbying, and corruption, leading to an ineffective environmental governance structure.
The role of industrial pollution in Byrnihat’s air quality crisis cannot be overstated. The iron and steel industry is notorious for its carbon footprint, contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from these industries lead to acid rain, which further degrades soil and water quality. Distilleries generate vast amounts of wastewater, contaminating local water bodies and contributing to the region’s environmental degradation. Cement factories, another major contributor, account for nearly 4-8% of global CO₂ emissions, while beverage production units deplete local water resources, adding stress to an already fragile ecosystem. These industries operate under regulatory frameworks that exist on paper but are rarely enforced in practice. Surprise inspections and environmental compliance audits, if rigorously implemented, could act as deterrents against industrial pollution, yet the government’s failure to prioritize environmental compliance renders these efforts ineffective.
Vehicular emissions play a crucial role in exacerbating Byrnihat’s pollution crisis. The town’s strategic location as a transit hub means a continuous influx of heavy-duty trucks and transport vehicles, leading to elevated levels of nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. Unlike countries such as Japan, which has successfully implemented stringent emission norms and public transportation alternatives, India lags in adopting cleaner technologies at scale. The implementation of Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission norms is a step forward, but enforcement remains inconsistent. Expanding electric vehicle infrastructure and incentivizing clean fuel alternatives could significantly mitigate vehicular emissions, yet the government’s policy implementation remains sluggish.
The lack of political will is evident in the inadequate budget allocations for environmental conservation. The Union Budget 2024 allocated a meagre fraction of GDP towards pollution control initiatives, reflecting the government’s misplaced priorities. While policies such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aim to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 20–30% by 2024, the execution remains largely ineffective. In contrast, China, once infamous for its smog-laden cities, has aggressively tackled pollution by shutting down heavily polluting industries and investing in large-scale renewable energy projects. India’s reluctance to take similar bold steps indicates a deep-seated nexus between industrial interests and political leadership, where economic growth is prioritized at the cost of environmental degradation.
One of the most effective solutions lies in leveraging technology for pollution monitoring and enforcement. Advanced satellite-based air quality monitoring, artificial intelligence-driven predictive modelling, and real-time emission tracking could revolutionize pollution control mechanisms. Countries like the United States and the European Union extensively use such technologies to hold industries accountable. India’s adoption of such innovations has been slow, hindered by bureaucratic red tape and a lack of investment in research and development.
The need for stronger legal action against polluters cannot be overstated. Hefty fines, temporary shutdowns of non-compliant industries, and criminal liability for severe violations could serve as strong deterrents. The judiciary has played an active role in environmental governance, with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) passing several landmark judgements. However, implementation remains a challenge as industries often evade penalties through legal loopholes and political connections. India could learn from the EU’s stringent enforcement of environmental laws, where non-compliance leads to substantial financial penalties and loss of operational licenses.
Public awareness and participation are crucial in the fight against pollution. Grassroots movements, citizen-led initiatives, and environmental activism have played significant roles in pressuring governments to act. The success of air pollution control measures in developed countries is largely attributed to an informed and active citizenry. The Right to Information (RTI) Act can be a powerful tool for citizens to demand transparency in pollution control measures. Strengthening local governance by empowering municipal bodies to take decisive action against violators could also improve enforcement mechanisms.
Ultimately, India’s pollution crisis is a reflection of its governance priorities. The Byrnihat crisis exemplifies the broader systemic failures that plague India’s environmental policies. The solutions are not unknown—stricter enforcement of existing laws, investment in cleaner technologies, stricter industrial regulations, expansion of renewable energy, and public participation in environmental governance. The difference between India and countries that have successfully tackled pollution lies in the political will to implement change. Unless India confronts this crisis with urgency and commitment, the nation risks long-term economic, environmental, and public health consequences that will be irreversible.
