How Delhi Air Quality Improved – Free PDF Download

ABOUT DELHI

• Delhi has seen rapid growth in its industrial, transportation, and housing sectors over the past decades.
• The population has increased from 1.378 cr in 2001 to 1.678 cr in 2011.
• Population density was recorded as 11,320 persons per km2 in 2011.
• 5 years ago, in 2014, a global study on air quality trends by the World Health Organisation had declared Delhi the most polluted city in the world.
• Since then, the Centre, states and courts have taken several steps to arrest pollution in the city.

HOW THE DATA COLLECTED?

• Delhi, through its pollution control committee, started monitoring air quality in real time only in 2010.
• It started out with 4 stations — in R K Puram, Punjabi Bagh, Anand Vihar, and Mandir Marg.
• The number of stations was increased to 26 in 2018.

HOW AIR QUALITY IMPROVED?

• After 2014, several NGT orders, upheld by the Supreme Court, including the ban on old diesel and petrol vehicles.
• Between 2014 and 2017, the Delhi government, Central Pollution Control Board, and Environment Pollution Authority carried out drives, issued orders, and implemented orders passed by NGT to curb air pollution.
• The biggest push came in 2017, when the Centre notified the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
• This provided state governments in Delhi and the NCR with a roadmap for action.
• If the air was severely polluted for more than 48 hours, for example, the entry of trucks would be stopped, and all construction work halted.
• The GRAP also set roles for each agency, fixing accountability.
• Shutting of the 2 thermal power plants in Delhi.
• Completion of the eastern and western peripheral expressways for vehicles not destined for Delhi.
• Ban on PET Coke as industrial fuel.
• Introduction of BS VI fuel.

• Open burning has been largely curtailed in the city.
• Stringent fines now have meant the practice has almost disappeared.
• Regulation of construction activity. While not as successful as the ban on open burning but whenever a ban is ordered, it is largely followed.

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