What are the causes of high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and ozone pollution in India. How effective are the various steps taken by the government to mitigate particulate matter and ozone pollution?

Causes of high levels of PM 2.5 and PM10: (1) Vehicular pollution in urban centers. (2) Thermal power plants burning coal and biomass. (3) Limited adoption of technologies like catalytic converters to reduce pollutants. (4) Limited public transport and leads to over-reliance on private fleet. (5) Energy mix of India: mostly 67% of energy from agro-fossil fuels. (6) Stubble burning in agriculture.

Steps taken: (1) National Clean Air program. (2) BS-VI stage BS-IV. (3) Renewable energy promotion: National Solar mission. (4) Govt solar initiative. (5) Fly cash-establishization guidelines. # Effectiveness of these measures: Numerous challenges are faced by India. These are as follows: a Limited monitoring infrastructure for pollution. b Limited financial support to implement programs like National Clean Air Program. c Multitude of sources of cost pollution makes it difficult to control.

d Limited adoption of electric vehicles due to poor charging infrastructure.