Delhi Air Pollution: Why Bengaluru and Chennai Have 'Better' Air Quality

New Delhi: People in Delhi and its nearby regions are now living under severely poor air quality, with AQI ranging between 367 and 500, raising serious health issues. The Delhi government has imposed several restrictions to curb the pollution besides asking schools to shift to online classes, tweeting office timings wherever required among other steps.

Delhi Air Pollution

This is one such issue that has been haunting people in Delhi, NCR, for the last many years. However, no concrete solution has been drawn from past experiences. Today in this article we will discuss how other metro cities like Bengaluru and Chennai, also considered as India's major economic hubs, with millions of people migrating in search of jobs and businesses, have managed to maintain a much cleaner environment with better air quality so far.

Why Bengaluru and Chennai Have Good Air Quality?

Karnataka's capital, also known as the IT hub of the country, Bengaluru, has managed to keep its air quality clean because of its lush green natural environment. Gardens in every block and trees at every corner of the city help absorb all the toxicity in the surroundings.

Bengaluru, which is also surrounded by hills and jungles, adds to its cooler and breezier environment. Also, the timely monsoon in Bengaluru helps keep the air quality under control.

Another big reason for Bengaluru to have better air quality is its IT and startup culture, which allows people to work remotely, adding less burden to natural resources with maximum output. Unlike Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru largely focuses on making software's and IT-enabled services and less dependency on heavy industrial works to generate employment and manage resources.

Chennai, which follows the similar footprints as Bengaluru, leaves fewer carbon footprints behind, making its environment more cleaner and healthier to live in. Chennai being a coastal area offers a soothing and relaxing environment to its residents. Chennai, too known for IT services in the world, is home to many international tech giants like Microsoft, HP, etc. All thanks to the IT revolution, which saved southern states from being victims of heavy industrialisation and overutilization of their natural resources.

Stubble Burning Issue in North India

The Centre has doubled the fine for farmers burning crop residue in view of the deteriorating air quality in the Delhi-NCR region, with the penalty going up to Rs 30,000 for those with more than five acres of farmland, yet stubble burning remains a big issue in Punjab, haryana and nearby regions, severely impacting air quality in north India especially in cities including Delhi-NCR region.

According to a notification published on Wednesday following the Supreme Court's tough stance on the issue, farmers with less than two acres of land will now have to pay environmental compensation of Rs 5,000 up from Rs 2,500. And those with land between two and five acres will be fined Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 5,000.

Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for the rise in air pollution in Delhi after harvesting of the paddy crop in October and November.

Air Purifier, Mask Sales Up in Delhi-NCR 

As Delhiites struggles to breathe, traders said the demand for air purifiers and masks have increased as many residents see the equipment as a necessity to safeguard their health.

Delhi's air quality has worsened to the 'severe plus' category with the city recording an AQI of 496. In order to improve air quality, the government has taken tough measures like banning construction work, truck entry among others, all are part of GRAP 4 imposition.