On New Year Day, air pollution on edge of emergency in Delhi

Air pollution in Delhi on Monday stood on the brink of the emergency level due to a rapid build up of particulate matter owing to foggy conditions, even as Delhiites stepped out in large numbers to mark the first day of the New Year.

The day’s average air quality index (AQI) was at 400, classified as ‘very poor’ by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). However, it was just one point short of ‘severe’, the worst AQI in the CPCB index. SAFAR, which has its own monitoring network, recorded ‘severe’ levels of pollution.

SAFAR, which comes under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said the air quality was worse this January 1, compared to 2016 and 2017. During the previous two years, the foggy days were distributed over a longer period of time, it said in an assessment report. On Sunday, too, the AQI was at ‘very poor’ level (398).

The agency said it was mainly because the spell of dense fog remained concentrated between December 25 and the first week of January this year. Firecrackers were burst in many parts of Delhi last night to ring in 2018, contributing to the worsening air quality.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘Good’, 51-100 ’Satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘Moderate’, 201-300 ‘Poor’, 301-400 ’Very Poor’, and 401-500 ‘Severe’ The PM2.5 and PM10 levels in the city at 6pm stood at 311 and 471.5 ug/m3 respectively, according to the CPCB.

Pollution is considered ‘severe plus’ or in emergency category when the readings of PM2.5 and PM10 cross 300 and 500 ug/m3 respectively. The corresponding prescribed standards are 60 and 100. The nitrogen dioxide (NO2) level at air quality stations at Punjabi Bagh and Anand Vihar were reported at 147.47 and 91.97 µg/m3 respectively.

The pollution graph maintained by the Central Air Quality Monitoring Room of the CPCB was indicative of the rapid fall in air quality. The high levels of moisture manifested itself in the form of fog, which in turn trapped particulates. The levels will come down if the fog precipitates.

According to the Centre-notified Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of sweeping measures including odd-even and ban on construction activities are to be enforced when PM.2.5 and PM10 turn 300 and 500 respectively and persist for 48 hours at a stretch.

These measures were in place for over a week in November when pollution had risen alarmingly. A dense fog enveloped the city on New Year day, with the mercury dipping to 5.7 degree Celsius in the morning, but the weather condition did not deter revellers from coming out for celebrations. Radial roads leading to the Connaught Place and streets around India Gate were crowded with people on a rather cold day.

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