From 'Smoke-Free' To 2nd 'Most Polluted' In India - What Went Wrong With Chandigarh?

Chandigarh: Chandigarh, situated near the Shivalik Hills, holds the unique distinction of serving as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. It was once celebrated for its clean air and urban planning, earning the title of India’s first smoke-free city in 2007. A ban on public smoking marked the city as a model for other urban centres. However, fast forward to November 15, 2024, and Chandigarh now ranks as the second most polluted city in India, even surpassing Delhi’s air quality levels on some days.The deterioration in Chandigarh’s air quality started in the decade between 2010 and 2020, when PM2.5 levels breached the 100 mark for the first time. Once considered negligible, pollution in the city has since surged due to increasing industrial activity, vehicular emissions, and construction. The city’s expansion and rising population have significantly contributed to this decline.

What Went Wrong?Chandigarh, once hailed as a model of urban planning, is now grappling with worsening air quality that is choking its once-pristine environment. Nearly two decades ago, the city took a significant step by declaring itself smoke-free, a move praised for promoting public health. However, over the years, stubble burning in neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana, along with other factors, has turned this vision upside down.The primary causes of pollution in Chandigarh remain consistent with those in other northern Indian cities: industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and stubble burning. These factors continue to be major contributors to the city's deteriorating air quality, exacerbating the environmental crisis. The rise in PM2.5 levels, driven by stubble burning and industrial emissions, has become a major concern, deteriorating the city's air quality. With over 12.5 lakh vehicles contributing to 40% of the pollution, along with construction activities generating over 1,500 tonnes of daily waste, the problem is exacerbated further. In 2024 alone, over 16 lakh tonnes of crop residue were burned, a practice that has doubled in the last decade. Despite government measures, including increased fines and awareness campaigns, the situation remains grim.