Government Launches Air Quality Warning System in Delhi to Combat Air Pollution

Union Environment Minister launched Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi Region. System is designed w⟋help of American & Finnish models to predict extreme air pollution levels.

Killer Air
  • W⟋early information on bad air quality, people can be educated to get well prepared in advance.
  • There is decrease in detection of fire incidents as per satellite mapping in Haryana & Punjab.
  • Instructions are issued to monitor stubble burning in these areas on priority.

Objectives of the System

  • System is launched by Union Govt. in Delhi, keeping in view city՚s deteriorating air quality. Associated website is launched along w⟋it.
  • System will help combat air pollution in National Capital by getting information 2 - 5 days in advance. It will give signs for necessary actions.
Poisons We Inhale

Key Highlights of the Air Pollution System

  • System will have in-built web-based dissemination tool to inform public & enforcement agencies abt episodic high pollution events in advance.
  • Such information may be helpful for general public in planning their outdoor activities.
  • System will make it easier for govt. S pollution watchdogs to alert stakeholders & general public abt air quality 48 hrs. in advance.
  • Move will give them adequate time to take precautionary measures.
  • System is jointly developed by scientists of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Noida & India Meteorological Department (IMD) .
  • Central Pollution Control Board has constituted 41 member-team, which will continuously monitor air pollution levels & report to board.

Air Quality Index in Delhi

  • Air Quality in New Delhi was 204 on 14th Oct. , 2018.
  • City՚s air quality usually breaches Severe zone, when AQI reading shoots up to 5 times above safe limit, in November.
  • On 9th Nov. , 2017, AQI shot up to 486 on scale of 0 - 500, underscoring conditions that prompted Delhi govt. to declare public health emergency & describe Delhi as gas chamber.

Measures Taken to Reduce Air Pollution in Delhi

  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPBC) is proactively doing research in adjoining areas & sending reports of affected places to concerned dept. Govt. is taking steps to reduce emission from vehicles.
  • Delhi Govt. rolled out its emergency action plan - Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for 2nd year in row.
  • Plan, which was 1st implemented in 2017, aims to fight very poor & Severe air pollution level.
  • Under emergency action plan, stringent measures will be implemented such as ban on diesel generator (DG) sets in Delhi.
  • If air quality deteriorates further & reaches Severe or emergency categories, other stringent measures including ban on construction activities, stone crushers & hot mix plants, enhancing parking fees & rolling out odd-even road rationing scheme will be implemented.
  • Measures listed under GRAP to control moderate & poor levels of pollution are generally enforced in summer & monsoon months & measures to control very poor & Severe categories of pollution will be enforced from 15th Oct. to 15th March.
  • Move comes at time when city has encountered 9 days of poor air quality in 1st 2 weeks of October.
  • In November 2017, schools were shut when air quality turned Severe for more than week.

Background of Air Quality Index

  • In May, Delhi was declared world՚s most polluted city, according to air quality data compiled by WHO for megacities w⟋population of 14 million or more.
  • Greater Cairo in Egypt was adjudged 2nd most polluted city, Bangladesh՚s capital Dhaka was placed 3rd, Mumbai 4th & Beijing 5th.
  • New measures including installation of early warning system in capital have helped it become better equipped to fight air pollution in 2018.

Examrace Team at Aug 23, 2021