Chandni choke to China: Tackling same pollution problem, different approaches

Parallels between air pollution in Beijing and Delhi have been a matter of discussion for at least a decade now and were brought into focus again when spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India posted a series of posts on X, detailing measures taken by the Chinese capital that helped clean the air.

Air pollution control programmes

First programme launched in Beijing in 1998

Three-stage plan in Beijing:

1998 to 2008: Targeted coal consumption, industrial emissions, motor vehicle emissions, and dust

2009 to 2012: Post-Olympic period. Targeted primary pollutants (SO2, NO2, PM10, and CO). Govt took primary responsibility of air pollution campaign. Regional cooperation started

2013 to 2017: Focus on secondary pollutants, primarily PM2.5. First environmental protection police team launched in Jan 2017

Monitoring capacity (used to calculate AQI)

Beijing: 1,000 PM 2.5 sensors

Delhi: 40 PM 2.5 sensors

Delhi

Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (1998)

Orders issued to control road dust, vehicular pollution, diesel generator sets. Issued winter-specific directions

CAQM (2000)

Rationalised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and issued air pollution control directions with relation to AQI. It orders actions based on ambient AQI and forecasts, but respective state govts have to issue orders to ensure compliance.

SHARED CHALLENGES

Alarming levels of ozone are seen in both regions.

Stubble burning contributes to seasonal pollution levels in both the countries. Subsidies, fines and legal action have not helped eliminate the problem in either of the two countries.

ACTION TAKEN

COAL COMBUSTION

Beijing

Beijing implemented a coal-to-gas policy, which pushed industry and homes to transition from coal to clean fuel, in 2005. Reduced coal combustion by nearly 11 million tonnes by 2017.

Subsidies to urban households for coal-to-electricity heating renovation – 2/3rd of the equipment acquisition costs; discount of up to 78% of heating electricity tariff.

Incentives/subsidies granted for high-polluting enterprises that closed production and diversified. Those who continued got incentives to implement extensive exhaust gas treatment.

Delhi

In Delhi, Badarpur thermal power station was permanently shut down in Oct 2018 but no study has been done on its impact on air quality. All 1,959 registered industrial units in Delhi are now operating on 100% piped natural gas (PNG). Out of 240 industrial areas in NCR, PNG infrastructure is now available in 224 and over 96% of industries have already shifted to approved fuels.

VEHICLES

Beijing

Old vehicles equivalent to BS IV and BS III were phased out. This made the most significant contribution during this period.

Financial subsidies or incentives to vehicle owners who scrap old cars.

Between 2008 and 2014, subsidies were granted to retrofit heavy-duty diesel vehicles up to half of cost. Between 2014 and 2017, up to 60% subsidies for purchasing personal EVs.

Delhi

Curbs on old vehicles imposed in Delhi too but legal battles abound, with SC lifting restriction on BS IV vehicles recently.

The current EV policy, introduced in 2020, offers a range of incentives, including a 25% purchase subsidy (up to Rs 5,500) for e-cycles, Rs 30,000 for e-rickshaws and e-carts, Rs 5,000 per kWh of battery capacity (capped at Rs 30,000) for two-wheelers, and Rs 30,000 for e-light commercial vehicles. A new EV policy 2.0 has been proposed.

No incentive for CNG vehicles but such vehicles are exempted when restriction is imposed on vehicles during GRAP.

PRIVATE CARS

Beijing

Lottery to buy vehicles, like in Singapore; directions to not drive pvt cars one day a week in batches; Driving restrictions by stopping car driving one weekday per week; Driving restrictions on light duty passenger cars of China 1/2 on weekdays.

Delhi

No restrictions on buying new vehicles. Odd-Even was introduced as an emergency measure but later shelved.

Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here