Delhi Government gears up for its fight against pollution

India

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The Delhi Government is leaving no stone unturned in making Delhi pollution free. The government has geared up for its fight against pollution and announced that real time data on pollution sources will be available from August 1 in Delhi. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had reviewed the progress of Delhi’s Real Time Source Apportionment System and directed officers to ensure that no loopholes are left in this system. Notably, a supersite will be established in Delhi by the end of July to identify actual sources of pollution in real time. The CM said that real time identification of pollutants will significantly help in taking controlling measures and reducing pollution. Along with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Environment Minister  Gopal Rai, DDC Vice Chairperson Jasmine Shah and other high-ranking officials were present in the meeting.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired a review meeting with teams from IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) on the ambitious Real Time Source Apportionment System and Pollution Forecasting Project. During the review meeting, Professor Mukesh from IIT Kanpur informed the CM that a suitable location has been identified for the establishment of the supersite apparatus.

They have proposed to set up a supersite at Pandara Road in Central Delhi. Work of setting up the supersite will begin by the end of July. It will be built in an area totalling up to 36 square metres.  With its height being 3 meters. The supersite will be built about 9 to 14 meters above the ground. As part of this system, a mobile app will also be developed. Under the whole apportionment system the exact sources of pollution at specific locations will be found out.

The CM was also apprised about the progress of the procurement process of equipment required like the ‘Real Time Ambient Air Analyser’ and ‘Online Particulate Matter and Ion Analysis System’. A global procurement process for acquiring state-of-the-art equipment is being ensured under the project.  The team also informed the CM of the developments that have taken place in the Air Pollution Forecasting System project. This system will provide accurate hourly, daily and weekly forecast data on air pollution.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “In Delhi pollution remains in the ‘Moderate Category’ around October 9 every year.  After that, the pollution level starts increasing suddenly. Looking at NASA’s photos, it has been noticed that a large amount of stubble was burnt during that period.  Whereas, the figures every time say that only 5 percent of Delhi’s pollution can be blamed upon stubble.  In such a situation it is important to ascertain the actual contribution of stubble in Delhi’s pollution and how much other factors contribute to pollution. This would enable real-time detection of factors causing pollution in the state and help in controlling that source of pollution.”

Delhi will become the first city to identify the real-time source of air pollution through its apportionment system. The project will help in identifying the factors responsible for the rise in air pollution at any given location in Delhi. It will help in understanding the impact of pollution sources like vehicles, dust, biomass burning, stubble burning and industrial emissions.  Based on these results, the Delhi Government will be able to take necessary steps to curb the specific sources of pollution.  This will help in identifying and mitigating various factors causing pollution. Additionally, pollution forecasting will help the government in taking significant policy decisions like school closures, construction restrictions, vehicular restrictions beforehand.

IIT and TERI experts will study pollution in the national capital

After this project was approved by the Delhi Cabinet, an agreement was signed in October last year.  Under this agreement, teams from IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and IISER Mohali will intricately study pollution in the national capital.  Delhi Pollution Control Committee of Delhi Government has been appointed as the nodal agency for the study.

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