Delhi: Localised solutions to help fight pollution next winter

New Delhi: With an aim to get a more comprehensive picture of pollution in Delhi and make localised solutions for pollution hotspots, the Delhi Pollution control Committee (DPCC) is undertaking a detailed study of the pollution levels from the 24 monitoring stations. The aim is to identify areas with more pollution levels, analyse the emission source and come up with localised solutions by next winter.

The DPCC had set up 20 new monitoring stations in November 2017 across the city, taking the total number of stations under it in Delhi to 24. “We have reached that stage where we can do micro level analysis on the basis of more detailed and scientific study and understand whether the pollution in a place is a localised problem or a general one,” said Dr M.P. George, scientist, DPCC.

“In Delhi, we have hotspots and we have locations with low pollution levels. All of Delhi is not as bad as is painted. Till last year, for 1,400 sq km, we were dependent on just four stations. Now we have one station in between 7-10 km of aerial distance,” he added. According to preliminary analysis, areas like Najafgarh and Alipur are showing relatively lower pollution levels. The pollution levels are being monitored based on real time data of 8 parameters — PM10 and PM2.5, Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, Ammonia, Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, and weather parameters. “What we have observed till now is that there is a 10-15% variation from one station to another. We can classify Delhi into three categories — commercial, industrial, and sensitive areas and we are getting different type of data from these and hence there will be better representation,” Dr George said.