Despite warm weather conditions prevailing in the Capital, level of pollutants was observed “abnormally high” on Wednesday after the four days dip in the level. It is another story that the Delhi Government has claimed that pollution has dropped radically, despite official statistics of National Air Quality Indices showing pollutant levels to be drastically high.
As per Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), which is the State Government’s own pollution measuring agency, mass concentration of PM 2.5 in Mandir Marg area was 322 µg/m3whereas PM 10 was 460 µg/m3. Interestingly, Mandir Marg is situated in inner circle of Delhi where the Delhi Government has been claiming to have brought down pollution by 50 per cent. The values of PM 2.5 at Punjbai Bagh, RK Puram (green lung of Capital) , and Anand Vihar was measured at 356, 303 and 460 (µg/m3) respectively.
System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), a unit of Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), also showed “very poor” status in their advisory report on the air quality.
Meanwhile, the AAP Government asserted that pollution has dropped in the city as population of vehicles on city roads has reduced due to odd -even scheme. On the other hand, environmentalists and Indian Metrological Department (IMD) scientists have said fall or rise in the value of particulate matter in city air is dependent on the wind speed.
“Today wind speed is low and temperature is also relatively low. Because of low dispersion of pollutants as moisture content is high, the value of pollutants has increased,” said Gopal Krishna, ecologist, Anti-Toxic Watch Alliance (ATWA), New Delhi.
Real time observation of the air quality meters of the US Embassy showed the status “hazardous” as value of pollutants in New Delhi area was 443 µg/m3 and in Anand Vihar area, it was 474 µg/m3.
To curb air pollution due to construction dust, the Delhi Government has issued challans to 14 construction sites of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and 42 major construction sites of various authorities, including private builders for violating dust control measures.
Meanwhile, DMRC official said corporation is extremely sensitive about the environment and takes a number of measures to control dust, wastage of water and for having proper air quality near our construction sites. The measures undertaken are enclosed.
“However, with regard to the areas pointed out at some of the Metro construction sites, we will be re-assessing the situation and will take further necessary environmental protection measures to the maximum extent possible,” official said further.
Responding further to the State Government challan issues, metro official also said corporation will examine every issue and location pointed out and if it is found that any of our contractors are not maintaining the required environmental standards then suitable action will be initiated against the erring agencies.
The DPCC, through a press statement, has also said the third phase inspections were again taken up in respect of 48 sites where the construction activity was found in progress in first and second phase of drive.
In last week report of issuing challans for construction activities and biomass burning, Department of Revenue, Delhi Government has collected a revenue of 41,85000 Rs from total 473 challans. These challans were made by municipal civic agencies in their respective areas.