GURGAON: Air pollution levels shot up in Gurgaon despite the restrictions on vehicles on Monday, with PM2.5 showing a 12% increase compared to January 1, the first day of the odd-even experiment which was also a holiday for many.
While PM 2.5 was recorded at 89.94 microgram per cubic metre (g/m3) on Friday, it shot up to 101.25 g/m3 on Monday. Sulphur dioxide increased by about 50%, from 2.67 g/m3 to 4.14 g/m3, and oxides of nitrogen went up from 21.35 g/m3 to 25.10 g/m3.
Haryana state pollution control board (HSPCB) officials blamed the spike on smog. "Air pollution depends on several factors, including wind speed, fog, humidity, sunlight, and most importantly, temperature. Increased humidity and fog, or low temperature with sunlight, can worsen air quality. Today, dense fog engulfed most parts of the city, so pollutants remained trapped in the lower atmosphere, and led to a spike in pollution," said a senior HSPCB official.
He added that road rationing is not going to solve the problem. "We've got to work on various factors simultaneously. This could include banning diesel autos and ensuring proper servicing for all vehicles. That way, rationing of vehicles won't be required to bring down pollution," he added.
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Environmentalists on the other hand, said the spike in air pollution was due to lack of implementation of odd-even scheme in the city. City-based environmental engineer Debjani Ghosh said the need of the hour is to replicate the scheme here.
