DELHI POLLUTION MONITORING RESULTS ENCOURAGING

First air quality data from 24 locations show encouraging results of reduction in air pollution in Delhi on the New Year Day

The first results of ambient air data collected by mobile units of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee on 24 locations across Delhi on the New Year Day show an encouraging trend of reduction in air pollution in both PM 2.5 and PM10 categories.

The ambient air data was collected by mobile dust samplers using the Light Scattering Technique from each of the 24 locations on 1stJanuary, at different times of the day.

The implementation of the plying of four wheeled vehicles on an odd-even basis was received with warmth by the residents of the national capital on the first day, and results of the ambient air quality measurement prove their efforts will yield positive results.

The mobile units of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee collected ambient air data from 24 locations of eight assembly constituencies – Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, Kasturba Nagar, Seemapuri, Rohtas Nagar, Patparganj, Kondli and Greater kailash.

(Detailed results from each of the 24 locations are attached with this Press Release).

Significant findings from the collected data are as follows :

· PM 2.5 microgram per meter cube (ug/m3) measured in 24 locations ranged between 121-226.

· Majority of the locations recorded PM 2.5 less than 150 (ug/m3).

· The data compared with same dates and times of previous years shows a marked decrease.

· On an average, PM 2.5 hovered around 250 across the national capital in previous years on the same date.

· PM 10 microgram per meter cube (ug/m3) measured in 24 locations was in the range of 149-503.

· Majority of the locations recorded PM10 less than 300, which is a marked decrease in comparison to PM10 levels in previous years at the same dates and time.

· On an average, PM10 was measured between 400-500 across Delhi in previous years at this time and date.

IMPORTANT INDICATORS :

· Air pollution levels within Delhi city are showing a decreasing trend.

· Higher pollution levels are being observed in border areas of Delhi.

· Areas like Rohtas Nagar, Patparganj and Kondli, which border Uttar Pradesh are showing higher levels of air pollution as compared to areas towards central parts of Delhi.

· Border areas like Anand Vihar, which bear the brunt of vehicular pollution, including entry of trucks from UP, clearly show states in NCR need to take immediate steps to supplement the efforts of Delhi government.

· This shows NCR towns need to take effective steps to curb air pollution.

· Delhi government will take up this matter at all appropriate forums to ensure air quality improves across the city and in the NCR areas.

Elaborate arrangements have been made to measure air quality on all days when the odd-even vehicle plan will be implemented between January 1-15.

Delhi government plans to have data from more than 200 locations across the national capital till 15th January to check the effectiveness of the odd-even plan.

In addition, the already functioning five stationery centres of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee provide 24×7 air quality data for public viewing.