Air Quality Crisis: NGT Probes Pollution Impact on Mortality Rates

The National Green Tribunal seeks responses from the Centre and state pollution boards regarding a study linking air pollution to high mortality rates in 10 Indian cities. The report, citing a Lancet study, highlights rising health risks from pollution, affecting vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Centre and nine state pollution control boards, along with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, to respond to a study alleging severe impacts of poor air quality on mortality rates in 10 major Indian cities.

The tribunal's action comes after taking suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report quoting a Lancet study, which linked approximately 33,000 annual deaths to air pollution levels surpassing World Health Organization guidelines.

The report targets cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and emphasizes that emissions from vehicles and industrial activities significantly impact vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.

(With inputs from agencies.)