Poor AQI in Faridabad: Study indicates dust major contributor in PM 10 escalation

With Faridabad experiencing “poor” Air Quality Index (AQI), with readings ranging from 204 to 264 over the last few days, the source apportionment study, conducted by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), reveals that road dust is the most significant contributor of the particulate matter (PM) 10, while industries majorly contribute towards PM 2.5.

The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has placed the study before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) through its member secretary, Pardeep Kumar (IAS).

The study focused on understanding the spatial and temporal variations in PM 10 and PM 2.5, identifying their sources and quantifying their contributions in Faridabad, a part of the National Capital Region.

The primary sources of ambient air pollution in Faridabad city were analysed through two distinct simulation methods. One approach, the receptor model, used marker pollutants to identify various pollution sources at a specific location. The other approach, the dispersion model, relied on a source emissions inventory, meteorological data, landscape characteristics and other factors to estimate the ambient concentration of air pollutants at a specific site.

According to the study, average source contributions to ambient particulate matter in Faridabad in the case of PM10 were 46 per cent dust, biomass and coal (eateries plus household) 12 per cent, industry 11 per cent, transport 10 per cent, agri residue eight per cent, secondary seven per cent and refuse six per cent.

For PM 2.5, the major contributors were biomass and coal (eateries plus households) (22 per cent), followed by transport (20 per cent), dust (15 per cent), industry (16 per cent), secondary (12 per cent), refuse (9 per cent), and agri residue (six per cent).

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Cross-border pollution

In Faridabad city, local sources account for 54 per cent and 51 per cent of ambient PM 10 concentrations in summer and winter, respectively. Similarly, local sources contribute around 40 per cent and 39 per cent to ambient PM 2.5 concentrations in summer and winter, respectively. The remaining contributions are from sources outside the city boundary including those of international origin. “This highlights the importance of cross-border pollution control measures to improve air quality,” the study states.

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Future scenario

The study shows that atmospheric PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations were simulated using estimated annual emissions of PM 10, PM 2.5, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide (CO) from different sectors for 2030 and 2035, based on implemented policies and sector growth rates in the region. “Simulated atmospheric concentrations of PM 10 and PM 2.5 suggest an increase (57 per cent and 65 per cent for PM 10 and PM2.5, respectively) over the present concentration in the future, following the implementation of the air quality management actions (BAU scenario) in the Faridabad Municipal Corporation area. Future projections indicate that industry, road dust re-suspension and the transport sector will be the primary sources of atmospheric particulate matter in the coming years,” the study says.

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Winter action plan

As per HSPCB’s winter action plan to prevent road dust, the state will increase the number of sprinklers in Faridabad from 25 to 38. There are eight mechanised road sweeping machines as of now which will be increased to 15. All active construction projects in the state are required to comply with the CAQM directions, which mandate the use of anti-smog guns (ASGs) on construction sites, depending on the area. There were 62 smog guns available in Faridabad in 2024, and in August 2025, their number increased to 86.