Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat and a thriving economic hub faces a growing challenge with its air quality. Rapid urbanization and ambitious infrastructure projects are reshaping the city's skyline but also contributing to its rising Air Quality Index (AQI), often breaching unhealthy levels. Let’s explore the factors behind this issue and what lies ahead for the city.
Ahmedabad hosts India's 2nd oldest stock exchange and is Gujarat's economic and commercial hub. It is the second largest producer of cotton in India and is referred to as the Manchester of the East because it supports a large textile industry.
Several automobile companies such as Tata, Ford, Suzuki, and Peugeot have or are planning to set up manufacturing centers around the city. In all the city hosts about 3000 industrial units (including 855 chemical factories, 511 foundries, and 380 textile plants) and 2 coal-fired thermal power plants ( 800MW Gandhi Nagar and 400MW Sabarmati).
How Ahmedabad’s Development Impacts Its Air Quality
1. Massive Infrastructure Expansion:
Projects like the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway and the expansion of Ahmedabad Metro's Phase 2 aim to improve connectivity but involve extensive construction that releases particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10).
2. Industrial Growth:
Ahmedabad houses a significant number of textile, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. These emit pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, worsening air quality.
3. Rising Vehicular Emissions:
With over 3.7 million registered vehicles, the city's transportation sector is a leading contributor to air pollution, emitting harmful gases and particulate matter.
4. Geographical and Climatic Factors:
The city's dry climate and geographical location exacerbate dust accumulation, especially during construction activities and vehicular movement.
Air Quality Trends and Concerns
Ahmedabad’s Air Quality frequently crosses 200, placing it in the “poor” category, with winter months often pushing it to “very poor” due to temperature inversions trapping pollutants. The city’s PM2.5 levels remain 10–12 times higher than WHO standards, posing serious health risks, including respiratory diseases and cardiovascular issues.
During periods of high precipitation or high-speed winds, emissions from a city are swept away and do not impact concentrations. On the other hand, during the winter months when temperatures and inversion heights are low, emissions have a greater impact on pollution concentrations. Low temperatures also affect behavior through the need for space and water heating, which in turn increases emissions.
Solutions for a Cleaner Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad can tackle its air quality issues by promoting electric vehicles, enforcing stricter pollution controls in industries, and incorporating green infrastructure. Projects like the Sabarmati Riverfront Development showcase how urbanization can coexist with environmental sustainability, offering a blueprint for future growth.
To preserve its legacy and ensure a healthy future, Ahmedabad must prioritize clean air alongside development.
The time for action is now!
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