Odd-even formula alone cannot bring desired results, states IIT Kanpur study

Business Today , Wednesday, January 06, 2016
Correspondent :
Purifying Delhi air to reach the permissible standards will be an extremely difficult task. The recent IIT (Kanpur) 'Air Pollution Source Apportionment' study done for the Capital categorically states that the 'odd-even' car formula alone cannot bring desired results. Also, a battery of measures suggested by the report will bring air quality levels to only twice the acceptable limit.

Specifically, this would be 198 ìg/m3 of Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) and 117 ìg/m3 of Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5). The safe levels are 100 ìg/m3 (PM10) and 60 ìg/m3 (PM2.5).

What is needed, it says, is duplication of the same measures in neighbouring UP, Haryana and Punjab.

This is only the second-of-its kind analysis done for the Capital city. The earlier such research work was done by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2010. IIT(K) was commissioned by the Delhi government in 2012 to scientifically study all the sources of air pollutants in Delhi and their respective contribution. It was carried out between 2012 and 2015.

For the first time, it studied Delhi's pollution scenario in both summer and winter season. It concluded that the sources of most harmful PM10 and PM2.5 fouling our air in the two seasons were "very different". The major winter culprit is vehicular emission. Sources stand in the order of: Secondary particles (formed from reactions between gases Sox and Nox) (25-30%), vehicles (20-25%), agricultural crop burning (17-26%), municipal solid waste burning (9-8%) and, in lesser extent, soil and road dust.

In summers, though, coal and flyash (37-26%) and soil and road dust (26-27%) are the biggest offenders. Then come: Secondary particles (10-15%), biomass burning (7-12%), vehicles (6-9%) and MSW burning (8-7%).

It also acknowledges what is now visible proof - that winters in Delhi are more poisonous in the hotter months. The study says: Levels of PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 are statistically higher (at most locations) in winter months than in summer moths by about 25-30%. In general, air pollution levels in ambient air (barring traffic intersections) are uniform across the city suggesting entire city reels under high pollution.

It further says: In a relative sense, Okhla (south-east Delhi) is most polluted and Pusa (central Delhi) followed by Dwarka (southwest Delhi) being the least polluted for Particulate Matter pollution.

The project considered Rohini (NW), Dilshad Garden (NE) and Vasant Kunj (south Delhi) as fine.

However, in an ominous note, it says: Air pollution continues to remain a public health concern despite various actions taken. Delhi has taken actions in nearly all the sectors to control air pollution over the past two decades - relocation of polluting industries, introduction of improved vehicle emission norms, phasing out lead from gasoline, city public transport fleet on CNG, restriction on transit freight traffic, introduction of metro rail, etc.

There is a need to take stock of benefits that have accrued and ponder on the 'Way Forward', it emphasises.

The further analysis of actions and future needs become even more important in view of the revised air quality standards that have been notified, it adds.

After suggesting a total 17 'pollution control option', it says: It appears that even with the implementation of all these, the national air quality standards will be stuck at 198 ìg/m3 (PM10) and 117 ìg/m3 (PM2.5).

Safe levels are 100 ìg/m3 (PM10) and 60 ìg/m3 (PM2.5). Areas outside Delhi contribute about 100 ìg/m3 of PM10 and 59 ìg/m3 of PM2.5 to the Capital city, the report underlines.

As a next step towards attaining air quality standards, since the NCR is a contiguous area with similarities in emitting sources, it is proposed that the control options are implemented for the entire NCR. With the implementation of control options in Delhi as well as NCR, the overall air quality in Delhi will improve significantly and expected mean PM10 levels will be 120 ìg/m3 and PM2.5 will be 72 ìg/m3, the study adds.

In addition, some local efforts will be required to ensure that city of Delhi and NCR attain the air quality standards all through the year and possibly for many years to come, it remarks.

 
SOURCE : http://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/current/economy-politics/odd-even-formula-alone-cannot-bring-desired-results-states-iit-kanpur-study/story/227746.html
 


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