GURGAON: Compared to the grey Christmas, Monday was bright and sunny, but pollutioncontinued to hover at levels dangerously higher than the national safe standard.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 was 220.31 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m³) on Monday, lower than 402.23g/m³ on Sunday and 333.40g/m³ on Saturday. However, air quality index (AQI) remained at nearly 200. The national safe standard for PM2.5 is 60 g/m³.
Experts requested authorities to ban diesel vehicles, especially autos, and close down polluting industries, stone crushers and brick kilns. "We need to work on an immediate reaction mechanism when air pollution goes up. For instance, temporary closure of highly polluting units, stone crushers and brick kilns, restricting entry of diesel vehicles for some time and ban on diesel vehicles, would keep the situation from deteriorating. This is done in Beijing, for example, when pollution becomes very high," said Niranjan Raje, former member of the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority.
"Diesel autos are major culprits. They should at least be restricted during winter, when pollution is already high. Not only polluting industrial units, but stone crushers, brick kilns and construction sites should also be shut down for some time," said JitenderBhadana of NGO Save Aravali.
City-based environmental analyst Chetan Agarwal, however, said authorities should look for a permanent solution. "In a year, 90% of the time, the city witnesses PM2.5 above the prescribed level. In winters, it gets worse due to the atmospheric condition. There is definitely a need to take concrete steps, like conversion of diesel autos into electric or CNG, as they are important means of transport for the poor," he said.
Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) accepted the need to take permanent measures, but said the situation had improved on Monday. "A dip in temperature led to rise in PM2.5 on Sunday. The situation improved on Monday due to better sunlight. We need to take permanent measures, like converting diesel autos into electric. Restricting entry of commercial diesel vehicles for a short while will not do. Polluting units, stone crushers and brick kilns can definitely be closed if the situation gets worse," said a HSPCB official.
