The air quality index of different pollution control agencies marked Delhi air quality “severe” on Wednesday as mass concentration of particulate matter (PM) observed six times higher than its safe limit.
The level of fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5 registered a jump of 60 per cent in various locations of the city while PM 10 was also seemed abnormally high on the National Air Quality Index (NAQI).
SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), a unit of Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) showed PM 2.5 was at 206.3 mg/m3 whereas PM 10 observed 335.5 mg/m3
While real time air data of PM values on the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) meters in Civil line area was also noticed high.
Not just the outer areas of Delhi where air pollution has remained high because of construction and traffic intersection in NCR regions but inner locations was also polluted , instance -Mandir Marg and R K Puram area where concentration was recorded at 431 and 435 (mg/m3)respectively.
According to the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) adequate rain and high wind speed only can help to wash out the Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), “Wind is blowing with 3 km per hour however temperature is high than normal, there is possibility of rain on January 30, said IMD official.
Apart from high values of primary pollutants, levels of gases (secondary pollutant) were also high. Concentration of Nitrogen Oxide in Anand Vihar area was 185.9 mg/m3 however prescribed limit is 80 mg/m3.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Government called a meeting with nodal agencies to find ways to curb air pollution.
“The Delhi Government will impose a stiff penalty on polluting trucks entering the national Capital and also on the construction sites not adhering to the dust control measures,” stated a press release.
The meeting, attended by Environment Minister Imran Hussain and senior officials of nodal agencies/departments reviewed the action against the violators found indulging in burning of dry leaves and garbage etc. in open and also against persons violating dust control measures at construction and demolition sites across Delhi.
It may be recalled that the National Green Tribunal has directed all such departments and agencies for imposing a compensation of Rs5,000/ on persons found burning dry leaves, garbage etc, in the open and a compensation of Rs 50,000 on the owners and builders found violating dust control measures in Delhi.
All the civic agencies said vigil, inspections and prosecution action against the violators have significantly brought down the incidence of burning and dust emission from construction activities.
Officers of the DDA also said all the concerned officers have been sensitised about the orders of NGT for prevention of incidents of burning garbage/leaves etc., in the open about control of dust from construction activities. The DDA, however, could not give details of inspections carried out and challans issued against the violators.
The Traffic Police said prosecution action by the traffic policies being taken under the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act. However, as per the Traffic Police, orders of NGT to impose a challan of Rs 5,000 each on polluting trucks entering Delhi can been forced, when these are notified by the Delhi Government.
The environment department has been directed to take up the matter with the DDA and the Traffic Police and bring the contentions of both DDA as well as Traffic Police to the kind notice of NGT for taking a final view in the matter.
The three Municipal Corporations and other local bodies were also asked to inform the owners and builders whose building plans have been sanctioned in the last two years, about the orders of NGT for complying with the Dust Control Norms.