Intro (Micro Notes Format):
Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata are India’s mega cities, but Delhi faces the most severe air pollution due to a combination of geographical, meteorological, and anthropogenic factors.
Reasons for Higher Pollution in Delhi:
- Geographical Disadvantage:
- Landlocked city → no sea breeze to disperse pollutants.
- Surrounded by Haryana, Punjab, UP → external pollutants trapped.
- Winter Inversion:
- Temperature inversion during winters traps pollutants near ground level.
- Calm winds and fog worsen PM2.5 accumulation.
- Stubble Burning:
- Seasonal biomass burning in Punjab & Haryana → spikes in PM2.5 during Oct-Nov.
- Vehicular Emissions:
- Highest vehicle density in India → 11 million+ registered vehicles.
- Poor public transport infrastructure increases private vehicle use.
- Construction & Dust:
- Unregulated construction, dust storms from western Rajasthan add particulate matter.
- Industrial Emissions:
- Peripheral industrial clusters (Ghaziabad, Faridabad) contribute pollutants.
- Use of diesel generators in power shortage areas.
Comparison with Mumbai & Kolkata:
- Mumbai: Coastal city with strong sea breeze dispersing pollutants.
- Kolkata: Humid climate, better rainfall disperses dust and pollutants.
Conclusion:
Delhi’s landlocked geography, regional influences, and poor dispersal mechanisms make it more vulnerable to sustained and hazardous air pollution levels compared to coastal megacities.
