A report on city pollution level released by the Delhi Government on Friday has claimed that PM 2.5 has dropped significantly during odd-even scheme despite unsupportive weather conditions.
The detailed analysis of the air quality during the first week of implementation of the scheme has been done by the Supreme Court appointed agency Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA).
On the basis of air quality data of November, December (2015) and till January 7, derived from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the report has claimed that radical drop in the concentrations of pollutants was measured in the first week of January. However, the report has also claimed that concentration level of noxious pollutants is high in this winter as compared to the level of pollutant in the winter season of 2015.
EPCA based its findings on the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) data analysed by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) data.
However, the data on the level of PM 2.5 collected by SAFAR, Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) and DPCC has constantly been on variance with each other.
Describing freak weather pattern as the reason for rising pollutants in air, EPCA report also stated that current weather conditions in Delhi are at emergency levels. "The Western Disturbance has brought moisture, which traps pollutants but this combined with near still and no-wind conditions means conditions are very bad for air quality. Similar weather conditions - with less severe conditions of no-wind and moisture had lead to peaks of pollution that are alarming and hazardous for health," said the report.
The report also said the car rationing odd-even scheme, which has reduced the traffic volume, has managed to bring down the peak level of pollution in the national Capital to its 'lowest'.
November and December 2015 show higher number of days in severe category - four times the safe standard - which is the worst category according to the National Air Quality Index.
"This brings out the clear impact of the odd and even scheme on the pollution levels. Even when wind was not there to blow it away the scheme succeeded in arresting the upward trend… The odd-even scheme is designed for immediate relief as it takes off the roads almost half the private cars, which contribute to pollution from their tailpipe and pollution because of congestion...This is needed to protect public health in a city where every third child has impaired lungs," it said.
"The Delhi Government must be permitted to continue with the scheme and if these adverse weather conditions continue, then our recommendation is that the programme should also be continued," it said.
Meanwhile, ambient air data collected by mobile data samplers through light scattering techniques by DPCC of January 7 showed that PM 2.5 in Timarpur area, Chandni Chowk , Dwarka , Palam, Matia Mahal, Karol Bagh, Narela and Burari areas was at 259,214 ,460,415,295,346,255and 218 (µg/m3 ).