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New Delhi : The Central Government has made serious efforts to deal with air pollution. Data for the year 2017 for Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 shows an improvement over 2016 and so far in 2018, it shows a further improvement, compared to 2017. The Government has also taken several bold initiatives including leap-frogging from BS-IV to BS-VI.
A section of the media carried reports on May 2, 2018, quoting a World Health Organisation (WHO) study that has highlighted the problem of air pollution till 2016 and has inferred that 14 most polluted cities in the world are located in India. The WHO report indicates that Delhi is placed at no. 6 with an annual average Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 concentration as 143 micrograms per cubic metre in 2016.
In the context of air pollution, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data based on Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) indicates that the annual average PM 2.5 concentration in 2016 at 134 micrograms per cubic metre and at 125 micrograms per cubic metre in the year 2017. Similarly, for Particulate Matter (PM) 10, the figures were 289 micrograms per cubic metre in 2016 and 268 micrograms per cubic metre in 2017. Therefore, even PM 10 levels have come down in the year 2017 against 2016.
The improvement in Particulate Matter concentration in Delhi has happened in spite of episodic events in two successive years in November 2016 and November 2017. During these months, in addition to local emissions, there was substantial contribution from regional sources including smoke due to stubble burning in neighbouring states and dust from Gulf countries.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has already taken action in the matter. In July 2016, all non-attainment cities were given a set of 42 action points for improving on air quality. As a follow-up, 94 non-attainment cities were also asked to prepare detailed action plans for improving upon air quality depending on their local conditions. Subsequently, out of 94 non-attainment cities, action plans for 61 cities have already been received and states concerned have been requested to steer implementation of action plans in these cities.
Given that most of the polluted cities are located in and around Delhi and along the Indo-Gangetic plain, it is critical that the state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal are further sensitised to take up urgent action on cleaning air in cities under their jurisdiction.
Significant action has been taken in Delhi and NCR, including the formulation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) by CPCB. Other measures taken include – a comprehensive action plan by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, ban on Petroleum coke (petcoke) in Delhi and NCR, strict surveillance over coal-fired plants, strict action against construction activities, regular field surveillance by CPCB teams starting from September 2017, augmentation of air quality monitoring stations in Delhi and NCR, integration of data on air quality from stations of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
Besides, National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in April, 2018 and this was preceded by Clean Air Programme in Delhi in February 2018 to sensitise the public in general and implementing agencies in particular, according to a PIB release.
It is noteworthy that almost 1 million vehicles are added on the roads of Delhi every year and in spite of increased construction activities and vehicular movement, air quality in Delhi is showing signs of improvement.
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