National Capital’s deteriorating air quality on Friday surpassed all its records of the current season as concentration of Suspended Particulate Matters (SPMs) was measured “abnormally high” on the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
One month pollution data of the CPCB reveals that values of both pollutants have been recorded three to four times higher for both PM 10, PM 2.5. Significantly, value of PM 2.5 was recorded at 46 Micro Cubic Per Gram (µgm-3) on September 16 of this year, while on Friday it shot to 206.2. Environmentalists have warned that denizens of Delhi are inhaling poison.
PM 10 value has escalated above the danger mark, oscillating between 139.6 and 140 (µgm-3) in mid-September, and 400 on Friday.
SAFAR, a unit of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has also recorded values at four folds the prescribed standard of both PM 10 and PM 2.5.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government has initiated coordinated action to combat air pollution. Environment Minister Imran Hussain on Friday conducted surprise inspection and found that dust control norms were being violated blatantly at the Pragati Maidan redevelopment site. Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCC) served notice on the contractor and the builder for violating Environmental Clearance (EC) conditions.
Since construction dust is also a major contributor in polluting air, Hussian directed officers of civic agency to release an order to cover all construction sites.
“No construction site should be left uncovered in Delhi,” said Hussain to officers while inspecting the site. The Minister has decided to regularly inspect all areas in Delhi to oversee the implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and visit the sites where there is likelihood of high air pollution. The Delhi Government has also constituted joint departmental inspection teams.
“There is visible clear cut negligence on part of contractors with regard to Construction and Demolition Waste Rules 2016 and orders of Supreme Court and NGT on Air Pollution /GRAP. No measures have been taken by the contractors to control emission of re-suspension dust from excavation, drilling and other construction related activities. No arrangement for sprinkling of water has been made at the sites,” said Hussian during site inspection.
SAFAR also mentioned that there are 26 factors contributing pollution, include - vehicular emission and road side dust.
Hussain directed both the contractors and PWD officials to take measures for prevention and control of road dust/re-suspension of dust and other fugitive emissions. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.