Urban Industrial Development, Environmental Pollution, and Human Health: A Case Study of East Delhi

The process of urbanization poses threats and opportunities in the urban environment. On the one hand, urbanization leads to development, but on the other as the population increases, the land use/cover changes, pollution increases, and there is alteration of urban heat balance. The combination of heat and pollution acts as a major health threat. This paper, hence, analyzes the historical growth and spread of industries in East Delhi. Further, the impact of growth of industries on human health in East Delhi is examined with the help of primary survey. The research articles on land surface temperature and land use/cover change act as a base to explore the existence of urban heat island in Delhi. It is found that the urban environment of Delhi has undergone rapid shift. This shift is accompanied with conversion of land use/cover and rise in air pollutants. The health hazard in these regions is high and needs urgent attention.