During the winter months, Delhi's air pollution is still being contributed to by vehicles, road dust, construction dust, biomass burning, and industrial emissions, as stated in a report released on Friday.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) published a report on Thursday, noting that the air quality in the national capital has fluctuated from 2014 to 2024.
The report indicates that Delhi's air quality has fluctuated from 2016 to 2024.
As of September 19, the city has experienced 96 days of poor, very poor, or severe air quality.
In comparison, there were 159 such days in 2023, 202 in 2022, 168 in 2021, 139 in 2020, 183 in 2019, 206 in 2018, 211 in 2017, and 243 in 2016, illustrating the variations in air quality over the years.
The latest Source Apportionment Study of NCT of Delhi, highlighted in the DPCC's latest report, has identified major contributors to air pollution in Delhi, including vehicular emissions, road dust, construction activities, and biomass burning.
In response to these issues, the Delhi government has implemented strict measures to control dust from construction and demolition activities, as well as stringent regulations on vehicular emissions.
The report also underscores the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs), with authorities aiming to set up numerous EV charging stations across the city to encourage a transition to cleaner transportation.
An important aspect of this effort is the deployment of 498 anti-smog guns at large construction sites, following a proportional distribution strategy based on the size of the sites.
Under the Central Air Quality Management (CAQM) Policy, construction sites ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 square meters will be equipped with one anti-smog gun, while sites larger than 20,000 square meters will have four guns installed.
According to the report, key initiatives in the strategy include the enhanced monitoring of air quality at 40 locations across the city and tracking eight critical ambient air quality parameters. This data is essential for understanding pollution trends and implementing targeted interventions, the report read.
Meanwhile, the report also highlights that in the fight against biomass burning, inspections of garbage burning sites have increased with 74,832 inspections conducted between October 2023 and September 2024.
A total of 1,321 incidents of open burning were addressed, resulting in fines totalling Rs 6.85 lakhs, the report reads.
Additionally, dust control and management cells have been established by 12 road-owning agencies, including the MCD, NDMC, and DDA, to ensure effective monitoring and compliance.
Additional measures reported include the deployment of Road Sweeping (MRS) machines in August 2024 and the operation of 229 Water Sprinkling Machines (WRS) to suppress road dust.
Authorities are also focusing on the scientific disposal of an average of 141.83 metric tons of road dust daily at designated sites, including Okhla and Ghazipur.
The report also highlights the installation of anti-smog guns on high-rise buildings, with 48 guns installed at government buildings and 50 at private structures. The concerned government authorities have been directed to identify more high-rise buildings for additional installations.
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