In today’s episode of Aaj Ka AQI, Newslaundry visits the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

The closest CPCB monitoring station at Lodhi Road pegged the AQI at 161, or in the ‘moderate’ category. In contrast, our portable air quality monitoring device pegged the AQI at 336, or in the ‘very poor’ category. 

As per an analysis by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), up to 42 percent of India’s PM2.5 is chemically formed in the atmosphere from precursor gases such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) from coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) and not from primary sources of pollution like vehicles or stubble burning.

Despite being the largest emitter of SO2 pollution, 78 percent of these coal plants are currently exempted by the environment ministry from installing flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) systems, weakening SO2 control at the source. Its reaction with ammonia in the atmosphere leads to ammonium sulfate, which contributes between 17 percent and 42 percent of PM2.5 mass across Indian states, with most states clustering between 30 and 40 percent annually, the study noted. This establishes secondary particulate matter as a core driver of India’s PM2.5 burden, rather than a marginal or seasonal concern.

To combat this and mitigate India’s pollution crisis, the MoEFCC needs to prioritise the installation of FGD systems in coal-fired power plants across India. 

This show is part of a collaborative campaign to tackle air pollution. Here’s how you can join the Fight To Breathe. Click here to power this campaign.