Gurgaon: The second phase of the odd-even scheme in Delhi has had little effect on the pollution levels in Gurgaon, shows an analysis of data released by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and a non-profit organisation measuring pollution levels in the city. This data comes on a day commuters returned to work from a long weekend, first after the scheme started.
According to the HSPCB data, the PM2.5 levels hovered betwwen 100.98/m3 to 102.24/m3 on the April 15-17 weekend, while the prescribed limit is 60/m3. The concentration of the oxides of nitrogen were recorded between 7.45/m3 and 13.81/m3 during the same period. On the other hand, TERI report indicated PM2.5 levels and and oxides of nitrogen remained under the prescribed limit in Gurgaon, recording no change from previous readings.
The difference in the readings can be partially attributed to the locations of the two pollution monitoring systems. While the HSPCB monitoring centre is near Rajiv Chowk, close to the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, TERI's centre is located in a more green area, in ShushantLok Phase 3.
According to a report released by TERI on Monday, Gurgaon is one of the downwind towns in NCR, meaning winds carry down Delhi's emissions to the city in this season. "Currently, pollutants in Delhi's air are flowing towards the city. However, there will be a minimal impact on the air quality of Gurgaon and we can analyze things only after 15 days. Besides, we feel that the government now needs to broaden the horizon and introduce norms in addition to the odd-even scheme so that there is a direct and consistent impact on bringing down the air pollution," said Sumit Sharma of TERI.
Meanwhile, HSPCB officials said the scheme has made no difference to the pollution levels of Gurgaon because, even on other days, vehicular pollution is not very high in the city.
"There has been no impact of the odd-even scheme in Delhi as the level of particulate oxides of nitrogen remained almost the same as on normal days. It is because vehicular pollution is not much in Gurgaon. Also, rationing of vehicles doesn't make any significant difference in the pollution level in NCR," said the official.
If compared to the first phase of the odd-even scheme, the concentration of PM2.5 and oxides of nitrogen have remained 50% lower in the city. However, experts sad rising heat and higher wind speed will also help disperse pollutants in the air, thus keeping particulate matter levels low.
