DELHI POLUTION LEVELS UP IN THE AIR AFTER DIWALI

New Delhi : Delhi Government reviews the prevailing pollution situation arising out of the Diwali weekend

· Detailed analysis shows air quality dipped after 7 PM due to bursting of fire crackers (Please find below the details of all air pollutants measured)

· Pollutants due to fire crackers and adverse meteorological conditions like calm condition attributed to present situation.

· Task force on air pollution headed by Health Minister Mr Satyendar Jain to begin implementation of its road map to improve air quality from this week

Delhi Government on Monday conducted a comprehensive review of the prevailing situation of ambient air quality arising out of air pollution caused on pre-Diwali and Diwali days of 29th, 30th and 31st October 2016.

Environment Minister Mr Imran Hussain reviewed the situation in a meeting with senior department officials and scientists of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

Since Delhi is reeling through the adverse weather conditions and impact of trans-state movement of pollutants specially of agricultural burning, Delhi Government had appealed to citizens of the national capital to restrain from the use of fireworks.

The DPCC constituted 12 teams consisting of SDMs and Officers of organization to check the sale of imported and illegal crackers .The teams visited all the districts of Delhi in general and specifically major fire Cracker markets of the city through the week and seized imported /illegal crackers.

Besides, the DPCC had issued directions to Customs authorities and Delhi Police, under Air Act-1981, not to allow the import and sale of imported crackers in Delhi.

Efforts made by the Environment Department, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and children to restrain themselves from the bursting of Firecrackers were appreciated.

It was observed that positive outcome of Anti Fire Crackers Campaign was that School children are increasingly becoming aware of the need to celebrate Diwali with Diyas and saying no to firecrackers.

The assessment of Ambient Air Quality as per CPCB Protocol was undertaken at six locations i.e. R. K. Puram, Mandir Marg, Punjabi Bagh, Civil Lines, AnandVihar and IGI airport and noise levels also monitored at above mentioned locations except IGI Airport .

Details of data for following parameters:-

(1) Carbon Monoxide (CO)

· On Diwali day 2016 the city averageconcentration (for 24 hrs) for CO ranged from 2.0mg/m3 to 4.2 mg/m3. The minimum avg. value was observed atMandir Marg maximum avg. value was observed at AnandVihar.

· On Diwali day 2015 the average concentration (for 24 hrs) for CO ranged from 1.1mg/m3 to 4.0 mg/m3. The minimum avg. value was observed atMandir Marg maximum avg. value was observed at Civil Lines.

(2) Oxides of Nitrogen (NO2)

· On Diwali Day-2016, the average concentration of NO2(for 24 hrs) varied from 70.0 µg/m3 to 123.0 µg/m3. The minimum avg. value was observed at Mandir Marg and maximum avg. value was observed at Punjabi Bagh.

· On Diwali Day-2015, the average concentration of NO2(for 24 hrs) varied from 37.0µg/m3 to 79.0µg/m3. The minimum avg. value was observed at MandirMargand maximum avg. value was observed at R.K.Puram.

(3) Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

· On Diwali Day – 2016, the average concentration of SO2(for 24 hrs) varied from 20.0 µg/m3 to 131.0 µg/m3. The minimum avg. value was observed at Mandir Marg maximum avg. value was observed at Punjabi Bagh.

· On Diwali Day – 2015, the average concentration of SO2(for 24 hrs) varied from 26µg/m3 to 64µg/m3. The minimum avg. value was observed at IGI airport maximum avg. value was observed at AnandVihar.

(4) Particulate Matter –PM10

On Diwali Day- 2016, the average concentration (for 24 hrs) for PM10ranged from 448 µg/m3 to 939 µg/m3. The minimum avg. value was observed at Mandir Marg and maximum avg. value was observed at AnandVihar.

On Diwali Day- 2015, the average concentration (for 24 hrs) for PM10ranged from 296 µg/m3 to 778µg/m3. The minimum avg. value was observed at Airport and maximum avg. value was observed at AnandVihar.

On Diwali Day- 2014, the average concentration (for 24 hrs) for PM10ranged from 421 µg/m3 to 790 µg/m3.

(5) Particulate Matter –PM2.5

· On Diwali Day-2016, the city average concentration (for 24 hrs) for PM2.5 ranged from 180µg/m3 to 440 µg/m3. The minimum avg. value was observed at IGI Airport and maximum avg. value was observed atAnandVihar.

· On Diwali Day-2015, the average concentration (for 24 hrs) for PM2.5 ranged from 184µg/m3to 369 µg/m3. The minimum avg. value was observed at Civil Lines and maximum avg. value was observed atR.K.Puram

Real time Noise Monitoring has been undertaken at five locations and the range observed is from 66.1 dB (A) to 75.8 dB (A), while last year the range varied from 65.9dB (A) to 74.8 dB (A).

The level of pollutants showed an increase on the Diwali Day. The major changes observed after 7:00 PM when the fireworks started. Ambient Air Quality in Delhi was already saturated with the pollutants accumulated due to Trans-State Movement of pollutants. The cumulative effect of existing pollution load and pollutants release due to use of fireworks as well as adverse meteorological conditions like calm condition attributed to present situation.

Following the Diwali air quality review, the Chief Minister appointed task force to tackle air pollution and solid waste management, headed by the Health Minister Mr Satyendar Jain with Enviornment Minister Mr Imran Hussain and Water Minister Mr Kapil Mishra as its members, will initiate the implementation of its road map from this week.

The task force has analysed various presentations on the two subjects and will now begin the ground implementation of its work.

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