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What Is Polluting Delhi’s Air? A Review from 1990 to 2022

Author

Listed:
  • Sarath K. Guttikunda

    (Transportation Research and Injury Prevention (TRIP) Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi 110016, India
    Urban Emissions, New Delhi 110019, India)

  • Sai Krishna Dammalapati

    (Urban Emissions, New Delhi 110019, India)

  • Gautam Pradhan

    (Earthmetry, Bengaluru 560037, India)

  • Bhargav Krishna

    (Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi 110021, India)

  • Hiren T. Jethva

    (GESTAR-II, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Morgan State University, Greenbelt, MD 21251, USA)

  • Puja Jawahar

    (Urban Emissions, New Delhi 110019, India)

Abstract

Delhi’s annual average PM 2.5 concentration in 2021–22 was 100 μg/m 3 —20 times more than the WHO guideline of 5 μg/m 3 . This is an improvement compared to the limited information available for the pre-CNG-conversion era (~30%), immediately before and after 2010 CWG (~28%), and the mid-2010s (~20%). These changes are a result of continuous technical and economic interventions interlaced with judicial engagement in various sectors. Still, Delhi is ranked the most polluted capital city in the world. Delhi’s air quality is a major social and political concern in India, often with questions regarding its severity and primary sources, and despite several studies on the topic, there is limited consensus on source contributions. This paper offers insight by reviewing the influence of Delhi’s urban growth since 1990 on pollution levels and sources and the evolution of technical, institutional, and legal measures to control emissions in the National Capital Region of Delhi.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarath K. Guttikunda & Sai Krishna Dammalapati & Gautam Pradhan & Bhargav Krishna & Hiren T. Jethva & Puja Jawahar, 2023. "What Is Polluting Delhi’s Air? A Review from 1990 to 2022," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-37, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4209-:d:1080953
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Rautela, Kuldeep Singh & Goyal, Manish Kumar, 2025. "Modelling health implications of extreme PM2.5 concentrations in Indian sub-continent: Comprehensive review with longitudinal trends and deep learning predictions," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).

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