In A Perennial Haze: Toxic Air Is South Asia’s Shared Struggle

Delhi’s winter smog continues to dominate global headlines, as air pollution remains the single greatest external threat to life expectancy across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, surpassing tobacco use, child and maternal malnutrition, and unsafe water and sanitation.

Over the last two decades, particulate pollution in South Asia has increased by more than 20%, and is now reducing GDP in the region by nearly 10% every year. In 2023, the annual-average concentrations across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan were more than seven times the safe limit of 5 ug/m3 prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Policy Framework

Despite most South Asians breathing unhealthy air throughout the year, policy response to this persistent problem in the region has sadly been largely reactive, and only in response to hazardous levels witnessed during the winter months.

Though these reactive phases, indeed, show glimpses of political urgency, they distort how air pollution is governed. Thick smog is visible, forcing authorities to act. But the health impact of air pollution primarily stems from chronic exposure to polluted air. When governance is structured around episodic crises rather than sustained prevention, air quality policy becomes more about managing public outrage than reducing emissions at their source.

Delhi's Air Crisis

In India’s capital, New Delhi, which is currently grappling with severe air quality levels, one cannot miss the sight of tankers spraying water to suppress the dust. On some days, schools are shut; on others, construction activities are restricted; and on further still, residents have been asked to stay indoors, which is often as polluted as it is outside.

These measures are part of New Delhi’s emergency response framework, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which activates pre-determined actions once pollution crosses specific thresholds. This reactive approach persists despite Delhi having a comprehensive clean air action plan, a reasonably accurate forecasting system, and the most extensive air quality monitoring network in the region.

In Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, similar response measures are undertaken, including road repairs (such as filling potholes), clamping down on open waste burning in select localities, and testing vehicles for violations of emission norms. But, shouldn't these measures be carried out throughout the year, and not be limited to days when pollution levels get toxic?  

Clean Air Directive In Dhaka

In Dhaka, the courts have intervened. In late October, the High Court directed the authorities concerned to implement a five-year nine-point clean air directive within three weeks.

The order includes controlling construction dust, sprinkling water on roads, seizing non-compliant vehicles, and shutting down illegal brick kilns — measures that have long existed on paper, but are only enforced when pollution reaches crisis levels.

IQAir Quality Rankings

The suite of reactive measures that are being implemented across the region to address pollution spikes this season doesn’t seem to be translating into air quality improvements, after all. South Asian cities have dominated the IQAir quality rankings on most days since October.

The measures now in place are the ones that the regulatory and municipal authorities should implement throughout the year, and not wait until pollution catastrophes occur. Perhaps, if these measures were implemented all year round in the first place, South Asians would be spared the unimaginable spikes in the winter season.

Coordinated, Year-Round Action

The evidence is clear: the reactive approach that South Asian cities are relying on to address high-pollution episodes does not hold ground. Air pollution is a multifaceted challenge – spanning unplanned urban growth, industrial pollution control, agricultural residue management, vehicular emissions, and the availability of accurate public data. None of these issues can be solved through short-term or episodic responses. Each requires coordinated, year-round action. 

For cleaner air and longer lives in South Asia, air pollution must be treated as a centrepiece of the region’s development agenda. After all, what is the value of development if the very people meant to benefit from it see their lives cut short?

(The writers are associated with the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. Views are personal.)