Air quality is relatively better this year: Govt

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 20

The air quality of Delhi has till now been “relatively better” as compared to last year, the government today said in a statement a day after the Supreme Court-appointed EPCA pulled up the NCR states for not making enough efforts to prevent a possible spike in pollution during the upcoming winter.

During the meeting convened by Environment Minister Imran Hussain, the current air quality and preventive measures being taken to contain a possible spike in pollution levels during the upcoming U-17 FIFA World Cup and Diwali were discussed.

Hussain was also informed that work of strengthening of Ambient Air Quality Network is at an advanced stage and that new systems will be functional by October end at 20 more locations in Delhi.

Officers of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) informed that with operationalisation of these new stations, the government will be in a position to implement orders of the Supreme Court on Graded Response Action Plan in a more effective way.

This year, the volume of PM 2.5 and PM 10 particulate matters have ranged between 200-100 and 300-200 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) whereas the corresponding safe standards are 60 and 100 ug/m3.

Last year the average volume of the two categories of particulate hovered between 500-200 and 300-100 between January and September.

According to the DPCC, air quality this year is comparatively better and is expected to deteriorate from October due to rapid fall in temperature and paddy rubble burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana.

Also, as Delhi is hosting a few matches of the U-17 FIFA World Cup, the government is expected to bring in measures under the very poor category of the Graded Response Action Plan from September 25, instead of the scheduled October 15.

Hussain also reviewed action taken for implementation of dust control measures. The Environment Department informed that the DPCC teams, along with officers from land owning agencies and local bodies, are regularly taking action against violators of dust control norms especially at construction sites. The department also assured that a special drive will be initiated to control burning of garbage, plastic, waste, etc., in open.

Hussain stressed the need for taking all possible measures to check waste burning in Delhi including at landfill sites. He also directed that strategy may be worked out immediately to implement Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order with reference to use of fireworks and firecrackers.