Syllabus: GS-III & V: Pollution Control 

Why in the News

A landmark study by IIT Guwahati’s Air and Noise Pollution Research Lab, titled “Emission Inventory, Source Apportionment, Carrying Capacity & Emission Control Strategy for Guwahati,” has identified road dust and construction activity as the primary contributors to particulate matter (PM) pollution in the city — surpassing even vehicular emissions.

More About the News

As winter approaches, Guwahati once again faces the looming threat of worsening air quality, a concern echoed nationwide through a Public Interest Litigation filed in the Supreme Court seeking to declare air pollution a national public health emergency. While the city’s air quality generally remains in the “satisfactory” range, a deeper look reveals that complacency could be costly.

Key Findings of the Study

• Road dust accounts for a major share of PM pollution, followed by construction activities.
  
• Vehicles indirectly contribute by resuspending road dust particles.
  
• Open burning of solid waste, especially in low-income localities, further deteriorates air quality.
  
• Municipal waste mismanagement, including poor segregation and disposal, compounds the pollution load.
  

These findings highlight that urban dust control, waste processing, and efficient public transport are central to improving Guwahati’s air quality.

Major Challenges

• Poor Waste Segregation and Processing:
  Despite door-to-door garbage collection, segregation between dry and wet waste is inconsistent. The city’s waste processing capacity remains abysmally low, and open burning continues unchecked.
  
• Construction Dust and Ineffective Sprinkling:
  Water sprinkling at construction sites is often inadequate, and dust suppression regulations are rarely enforced.
  
• Vehicular Emissions and Weak Public Transport:
  Lack of a reliable, time-bound city bus system compels commuters to rely on personal vehicles, indirectly worsening air quality.
  
• Weak Green Cover Enforcement:
  While building permissions mandate tree plantation, compliance is poor. Enforcing this can significantly boost the city’s green lungs.
  

 Way Forward

• Urban Dust Mitigation:
  
  • Regular mechanical road sweeping and roadside cleaning.
    
  • Tree plantation drives along major roads and public spaces.
    
  • Enforcement of dust control norms at construction sites.
    
• Solid Waste Management:
  
  • Strict ban and penalties on open waste burning.
    
  • Investment in waste processing facilities and public awareness drives for segregation.
    
  • Empower ward-level waste committees for monitoring.
    
• Public Transport Reforms:
  
  • Ensure timely and reliable city bus services with better route coverage.
    
  • Promote carpooling, cycling, and electric mobility.
    
  • Conduct emission testing and link vehicle data to a centralized pollution control system.
    
• Community Participation:
  Air quality improvement needs citizen engagement — from campus tree planting to clean locality drives. Creating awareness about the health costs of poor air can transform individual behaviour.
  

Relevant Government Frameworks

• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) – aims to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 40% in 131 Indian cities by 2026.
  
• Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 – includes components for solid waste processing and circular economy practices.
  
• Assam State Action Plan on Climate Change (ASAPCC) – provides a policy framework for sustainable urban management.
  

Exam Hook: Key Takeaways

• IIT Guwahati study identified road dust as the top air pollutant in Guwahati.
  
• Open waste burning and construction dust are major urban pollution sources.
  
• Public transport efficiency is directly linked to air quality improvement.
  
• NCAP and ASAPCC provide frameworks for sustainable air quality management.
  

Mains Question

Q: “Air pollution in Indian cities is not merely a vehicular problem but a governance challenge.” Discuss with reference to Guwahati’s air quality management strategy.

One-line wrap:
Guwahati’s path to cleaner air lies not just in controlling emissions, but in enforcing discipline — from road dust and waste to transport and trees.
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