Average PM2.5 levels on the decline

GRAP, Stricter Implementation Of Norms Have Helped Delhi: SAFAR Official

NEW DELHI: The capital had more clean air days in 2019 as compared to each the past three years but also saw a spike in the number of severely polluted days, an analysis of the Central Pollution Control Board’s data of PM2.5 concentrations in the air reveals.The analysis, conducted by the NGO, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) for data till November 30, shows that the number of “good”, “satisfactory” and “moderate” days had sharply increased since 2016, pointing to a general lowering of pollution levels.Track the pollution level in your cityHowever, Delhi also recorded a higher number of “severe plus” days this year as compared to last year, indicating that the period of peak pollution during the stubble-burning and Diwali season (late October and November) continues to pose a major threat to the region’s air quality.CSE said despite longterm efforts, controlling pollution peaks remains a challenge because of meteorological conditions and a mix of local factors and stubble burning in November or December. CPCB data showed Air Quality Index (AQI) touched a peak of 494 in November, the highest since it touched 497 in November 2016. In comparison, the highest AQI recorded in 2018 was 450 in December.The annual PM2.5 average has also been on the decline, according to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), which analysed data till December 20. The average PM2.5 concentration was 91 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), a drop in over 10 µg/ m3 since 2018.Gufran Beig, project director at SAFAR, said Delhi has been showing a decline in the annual PM2.5 average since 2012, with SAFAR computing its data through 10 air quality stations. “It appears the trend will continue and the annual average for the year so far is already less than the last few years. Introduction of GRAP and stricter implementation of norms has helped Delhi,” he added.SAFAR data showed the annual PM2.5 average was at its highest in 2014 (118 µg/m3) after which it began to show a drop. Data analysed till December 20 shows this could be Delhi’s best year so far.Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director at CSE, said the decline has not been limited to efforts initiated this year, but a culmination of the work put in over the last few years.Roy Chowdhury said a shift to cleaner fuels has been the catalyst with Delhi also recently banning the use of coal in industries. “Entire fleet of vehicles is moving away from diesel to CNG and, now, electric vehicles. Industries have also been asked to shift to cleaner fuels like PNG, which is showing benefits by the year. After Rajghat, we also saw Badarpur thermal power plant get shut down and each year improvements are being made in cutting down emissions from each sector,” she added.Sunita Narain, EPCA member and CSE director general, however, felt stronger efforts are needed to control the “severe” and “severe plus” days. “The focus next year will be removing coal from the NCR. Generator sets, which continue to be used in a number of colonies and apartments in the NCR, are another key focus area,” she said, adding that introduction of BS-VI is another step in the right direction.Data from CSE showed till November 30 Delhi had already recorded 13 “severe plus” days, an increase from seven such days recorded last year. CSE also recorded 23 “good” days when the 24-hour average was below the standard of 60 µg/m3. In comparison, 2016 had no “good” days.