20 most Critically Polluted Areas in India and Action Plan by Municipal Corporations, SPCBs, CPCB and MOEFCC to clean it up.

[YAGAY andSUN]

India faces severe air, water, and soil pollution due to rapid urbanization, industrialization, and unregulated waste management, especially in densely populated areas. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), and municipal corporations have been working together to address the pollution crisis, but the scale of the issue often calls for urgent and coordinated actions.

Below are 20 of the most critically polluted areas in India, along with some of the action plans initiated by various agencies to tackle the pollution problem.

20 Most Critically Polluted Areas in India

1. Delhi
   • Pollution Type: Air pollution (particulate matter, NOx, SOx)
   • Reason: Vehicular emissions, crop burning, industrial pollution, construction dust, and waste burning.
2. Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh)
   • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
   • Reason: Leather industry, poor waste management, industrial effluent discharge.
3. Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)
   • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
   • Reason: Construction dust, vehicular emissions, industrial discharges.
4. Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
   • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
   • Reason: Industrial emissions, port operations, and industrial effluents.
5. Kolkata (West Bengal)
   • Pollution Type: Air pollution (PM2.5, SOx)
   • Reason: Industrial activities, vehicular emissions, burning of garbage.
6. Mumbai (Maharashtra)
   • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
   • Reason: Industrial discharges, traffic congestion, and construction.
7. Faridabad (Haryana)
   • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
   • Reason: Industrial effluents, vehicular emissions, and untreated sewage.
8. Patna (Bihar)
   • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
   • Reason: Industrial emissions, river pollution (Ganga), and construction dust.
9. Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
   • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
   • Reason: Industrial effluent discharge (from chemical plants), vehicular emissions.
10. Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh)
    • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
    • Reason: Glass industry, industrial effluents, burning of solid waste.
11. Gurugram (Haryana)
    • Pollution Type: Air pollution (PM2.5)
    • Reason: Traffic congestion, industrial emissions, construction dust.
12. Ahmedabad (Gujarat)
    • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
    • Reason: Industrial emissions (chemical and textile industries), vehicular pollution.
13. Chandrapur (Maharashtra)
    • Pollution Type: Air pollution (particulate matter, SOx)
    • Reason: Coal mining, thermal power plants, and industrial emissions.
14. Jharia (Jharkhand)
    • Pollution Type: Air pollution (due to coal fires)
    • Reason: Coal mining and uncontrolled coal fires.
15. Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
    • Pollution Type: Air pollution (PM2.5, NOx)
    • Reason: Vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and construction activities.
16. Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh/Uttar Pradesh)
    • Pollution Type: Air pollution (SOx, NOx)
    • Reason: Coal-based power plants and mining activities.
17. Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh)
    • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
    • Reason: Industrial pollution, construction activities, and vehicular emissions.
18. Nagpur (Maharashtra)
    • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
    • Reason: Industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and mining.
19. Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
    • Pollution Type: Air pollution (PM2.5, NOx)
    • Reason: Vehicular emissions, industrial effluents, and coastal erosion.
20. Raipur (Chhattisgarh)
    • Pollution Type: Air and water pollution
    • Reason: Steel plants, thermal power plants, and vehicular emissions.

Action Plans by Municipal Corporations, SPCB, CPCB, and MOEFCC

1. Air Pollution Control Measures

• Delhi: The Delhi Government has introduced initiatives like the odd-even rule for vehicles, the introduction of CNG in public transport, and the closure of coal-based power plants. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is in place to combat worsening air quality.
• Kanpur & Lucknow: Focused on improving public transportation, upgrading emission standards for industrial units, and promoting cleaner fuels.
• CPCB: Monitoring air quality across these regions through real-time air quality monitoring stations.
• MOEFCC: Has set stricter emission norms for industries and has been encouraging state Governments to implement air quality management systems.

2. Water Pollution Control Measures

• CPCB & SPCB: Regular monitoring of industrial effluent discharges, setting up effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs). Implementation of the National Water Quality Monitoring Network (NWQMN) for continuous assessment of water bodies.
• Ganga Action Plan: Focused on reducing pollution levels in Ganga and other rivers, especially in areas like Patna and Agra, by setting up sewage treatment plants (STPs) and controlling industrial effluents.
• MOEFCC: Implementing the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) for river cleaning and protection.

3. Waste Management & Land Pollution

• Municipal Corporations: Many municipal corporations are working to improve solid waste management. For example, Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai are focusing on waste segregation, recycling, and landfill management.
• CPCB: Guidelines for solid waste management and regular inspection of landfills to prevent contamination of land and water.

4. Industrial Pollution Control

• SPCBs: Stricter enforcement of industrial pollution norms. For example, in Chandrapur and Singrauli, monitoring of thermal power plants and coal mines is intensified. Industries are required to install air and water pollution control devices (like scrubbers, filters, and ETPs).
• CPCB: The Environment Protection Act is enforced strictly to curb industrial emissions and water discharges. Industries are encouraged to adopt cleaner technologies and comply with environmental standards.

5. Clean Energy Transition

• CPCB & MOEFCC: Promoting the adoption of renewable energy solutions, particularly in areas like Singrauli (transitioning from coal to cleaner energy sources).
• Incentives for Green Technology: The Government offers subsidies and incentives for industries adopting clean technologies, solar panels, and wind energy.

6. Public Awareness and Community Involvement

• CPCB: Conducting workshops and campaigns to raise awareness among citizens about pollution and its impact on health.
• State Governments: Promoting awareness programs and encouraging local communities to participate in waste segregation and pollution control activities.

7. Enforcement of Environmental Laws

• MOEFCC and SPCBs: Strict enforcement of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Clearance (EC) norms for industries and large-scale projects to prevent pollution from new establishments.

Conclusion

The critically polluted areas in India are facing significant challenges, but Government agencies, including municipal corporations, SPCBs, CPCB, and MOEFCC, are taking numerous steps to address the pollution problem. These efforts include improving industrial pollution control, monitoring air and water quality, implementing stricter regulations, and encouraging community participation. However, sustained and enhanced efforts are required, particularly for industries in regions like Delhi, Kanpur, Chandrapur, and Singrauli, where pollution levels continue to remain high.

Public-private partnerships, increased funding for infrastructure, better enforcement of environmental regulations, and more innovative technologies are essential for tackling pollution in these areas. Additionally, long-term planning and policy changes are necessary to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations.