NEW DELHI: Only 3% of enquires on a toll-free weather and air quality call service are on pollution levels. This facility, not known to most people, is being run by the ministry of earth sciences since May last year. During the major smog episode this winter, when Delhi's pollution levels were comparable to Beijing's, calls on this number increased marginally to about 6% during January and February.
System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) scientists who run the service say it is little interest, and not lack of awareness, that is responsible for the few calls. "Unlike other countries where people show much interest in pollution levels, people here don't seem to care so much. We get the maximum calls during monsoon when people want weather updates before stepping out. We are not sure how to promote this service," said Gufran Beig, the chief project scientist at SAFAR.
When you call on the number, a recorded voice gives the air quality index—the air pollution level that government agencies communicate to the public—and the corresponding health advisory. When TOI dialled this number on Saturday around 6.30pm and asked about air quality in east and south Delhi, it was told that the air quality was "poor" and "sensitive populations should stay indoors". "The air quality index is determined by the worst pollution level of the day—either PM10 or PM2.5—and the WHO advisory for that reading tells the impact on health," added Beig.
SAFAR also provides SMS alerts on air quality on registration of mobile numbers on its website. However, this doesn't include updates on pollutants like ground-level ozone and benzene, which also impact health.
This winter, inadequate monitoring of air pollution and poor communication earned Delhi much criticism in the international media. SAFAR scientists, however, feel that people are not accessing information that's available. They say air quality in Delhi had improved considerably after February, but started plummeting again from Saturday. "The air quality is going to be poor from Sunday, so sensitive people, like those with asthma or other respiratory illnesses, should be careful," Beig said.
