UPSC Mains 2015 GS1 Q15 — Urban Air Pollution
Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so ? (Answer in not more than 200 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Why is this so
- Scope keywords
- Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkatathree mega citiesair pollutionmuch more serious problem in Delhicompared to the other two
- Implicit sub-parts
- Geographical and locational advantages of Mumbai and Kolkata (coastal influence) versus Delhi (landlocked/continentality).
- Seasonal meteorological factors specifically affecting the Indo-Gangetic Plain like temperature inversion and wind speed.
- Anthropogenic factors unique or intensified in the National Capital Region (NCR) such as stubble burning and construction intensity.
- The role of the 'ventilation coefficient' in dispersing pollutants in coastal vs. inland cities.
- Common pitfalls
- Focusing only on Delhi's pollution sources (stubble, transport) without explicitly comparing them to why Mumbai/Kolkata are less affected.
- Ignoring the 'Land and Sea Breeze' mechanism which provides a natural flushing system for Mumbai and Kolkata.
- Failing to mention the 'Himalayan barrier' effect that traps pollutants over Delhi during winters.
- Spending too many words on solutions or government schemes instead of answering the 'Why' (causation) asked in the prompt.
- Dimensions required
- Physical Geography (Locational)Climatology (Inversion, Wind patterns)Anthropogenic (Agricultural practices, Urban sprawl)Topographic (Indo-Gangetic Plain constraints)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 30-40 words to the geographical contrast (coastal vs. landlocked). Use 80-100 words for the core comparative analysis of meteorology and seasonal factors. Spend the remaining 60 words on specific NCR-localized issues like stubble burning and the lack of a natural sink, concluding with a brief mention of the severity difference.
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