(FE)
Rapidly increasing vehicular pollution and complete neglect by the authorities to take pollution-reduction measures over the past few decades have resulted in deterioration of ambient air quality across the country. A recent study by IIT Bombay states that “bad air resulted in 80,000 premature deaths in Mumbai and Delhi in 2015, and the economic burden was estimated about $10.7 billion.”
The government has started taking credible steps by stating its intentions to reduce crude imports by 10% and replacing the same by biofuels by 2022. It is backed by several initiatives by the ministry of petroleum and natural gas—5% ethanol and biodiesel blending; proposal to expedite introduction of Euro-VI fuels; and proposal to set up 12 second-generation (2G) ethanol plants in 11 states that would deal with agricultural waste burning which leads to smog. Biodiesel is one of the best and most economical options; however, states are required to actively participate to promote the green fuel.
At least eight premature deaths take place every day in Delhi due to pollution-related diseases, the Supreme Court noted while ordering the Centre to stop the use of furnace oil and petroleum coke (pet coke) by industries located in and around Delhi NCR.
