Did you know?
Air pollution in Gurgaon is a year-round issue, not just a seasonal one. Rising AQI levels in summer and monsoon months
highlight that poor air quality is driven by ongoing sources like traffic, construction, and waste burning.
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Overview
Air pollution is one of the gravest health risks globally. India is often ranked as one of the most polluted countries in the world. Gurgaon’s rapid urbanisation, paired with unregulated growth, has made air pollution a chronic issue rather than a seasonal one.
Air Pollution in Gurgaon
Air pollution poses a severe global health risk, with India at the forefront, hosting 39 of the world’s
50 most polluted cities. The World Air Quality Report 2022 ranks India as the eighth most polluted country, with PM2.5 levels
averaging 53.3 micrograms per cubic meter, exceeding WHO’s recommended levels. Delhi, India’s capital, is one of the ten most polluted
cities in the world. Gurgaon, being a Delhi suburb is not too far behind.Gurgaon’s rapid urbanisation leads to continuous and
episodic air pollution from various sources, including vehicles, industry, construction, waste burning, unpaved roads, and dust.
Major pollutants include particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Dust, vehicular emissions, industrial activities, stubble burning, and construction sites are chief contributors to air pollution. The reduction in the Aravalli ranges has increased dust and fine particles in the air.Previously acute for a few months, pollution in Gurgaon has become a year-round crisis, persistently falling short of prescribed standards.
Road crossings, commercial districts, and highways are pollution epicentres with worsening conditions during winter due to temperature inversions, slow winds, and smog episodes exacerbated by Diwali firecrackers and stubble burning. The extensive use of diesel, particularly in SUVs, cars, and generators, further compounds the issue.
Major pollutants include particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Dust, vehicular emissions, industrial activities, stubble burning, and construction sites are chief contributors to air pollution. The reduction in the Aravalli ranges has increased dust and fine particles in the air.Previously acute for a few months, pollution in Gurgaon has become a year-round crisis, persistently falling short of prescribed standards.
Road crossings, commercial districts, and highways are pollution epicentres with worsening conditions during winter due to temperature inversions, slow winds, and smog episodes exacerbated by Diwali firecrackers and stubble burning. The extensive use of diesel, particularly in SUVs, cars, and generators, further compounds the issue.
Major Causes of Pollution in Gurgaon:
- Vehicular emissions (especially diesel SUVs and gensets)
- Construction dust and unregulated building activity
- Industrial emissions
- Open waste burning and landfills
- Unpaved roads and dust storms, (worsened by deforestation in the Aravalli hills)
- Stubble burning in neighboring states
- Firecrackers during Diwali
- Winter temperature inversions, which trap pollutants closer to the ground
Health Impacts
| Pollutant | Source | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 / PM10 | Dust, diesel vehicles, burning waste | Asthma, cancer, lung damage |
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | Traffic congestion, diesel generators | Dizziness, heart stress, unconsciousness |
| NOâ‚‚ & SOâ‚‚ | Factories, diesel engines | Respiratory inflammation, eye irritation |
| O₃ (Ozone) | Secondary pollutant from NOx & sunlight | NOx & sunlight Cough, chest pain, breathing trouble |
What’s Being Done – And What Needs Urgency
India’s central programs such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and the Graded Response Action Plan
(GRAP) offer strategic frameworks to reduce urban pollution. However, the pace of implementation and enforcement remains inconsistent.
In Gurgaon, proactive steps have included:
In Gurgaon, proactive steps have included:
- Expansion of air quality monitoring stations
- Pollution control at identified hotspots
- Promotion of cycling and walking infrastructure
- Launch of SCOUT, a WhatsApp chatbot for citizen complaints about air pollution
- Initiation of city-level bus services and electric mobility programs
Pathways to Clean Air: What Gurgaon Must Do
Transportation
- Accelerate transition to Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) vehicles
- Enforce on-road emissions testing
- Expand CNG and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure
- Create safe, reliable public transport, cycling lanes, and walkways
Construction & Industry
- Mandate dust control systems on construction sites
- Promote green building certifications
- Incentivise low-emission industrial practices
Energy & Fuel Use
- Phase out diesel gensets, especially in residential and commercial complexes
- Expand solar rooftop installations to reduce reliance on polluting backups
- Ensure 100% LPG access to prevent indoor pollution from solid fuel burning
Waste Management
- Ban open waste burning
- Modernise and decentralise waste processing
- Introduce waste segregation at source and better landfill management
Awareness & Engagement
- Run public health campaigns about air pollution's risks
- Encourage community participation in reporting violations
- Collaborate with schools, RWAs, and local businesses for localized clean-air initiatives
Conclusion
In conclusion, tackling air pollution in Gurgaon demands a dynamic and urgent collaborative approach
involving all stakeholders – the government, policy makers, media and the public – with clear short, medium, and long-term goals.