
Air pollution: Delhi enjoys cleanest February in three years
As air quality improves and with winter gone, the Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) is likely to lift the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) from March 1, two weeks before it was scheduled to come to an end.
Delhi is enjoying its cleanest February in three years as far as the air quality index is concerned. The number of days with ‘very poor’ and ‘poor’ air quality has gone down while days with ‘moderate’ air quality have risen.
Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board shows that the number of days in February with ‘very poor’ air quality dropped from 15 in 2016 to four in 2017. In 2018 it dropped to three.
Similarly, ‘poor’ quality days have dropped from 22 in 2017 to 18 this year. Days with ‘moderate’ air quality has gone up from 0 in 2016 to two in 2017. In 2018, there were six days of moderate air quality in February.
“There were two ‘moderate’ days in February 2017. The AQI was 162 on February 7, 2017. This year the AQI dropped to 140 on Monday – the lowest AQI recorded in February in last three years,” said a senior CPCB official.
Scientists said the clean air is a combined effect of measures taken to curb pollution and favourable meteorological conditions.
“A slew of measures had been rolled out to keep pollution levels under control. Other measures such as the ban on pet coke and furnace oil have also yielded results. Meteorological conditions are also favourable. Strong winds are blowing and temperature is rising, which is aiding better air circulation. This is helping in dispersal of pollutants,” D Saha, former head of the CPCB’s air quality laboratory, said.
Officials from the regional weather forecasting centre said the wind speed had been high over the past 10-12 days. On Monday, it was around 35 km per hour. In winter, wind speed drops to less 5 km per hour.
“Measures under the GRAP to combat ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ pollution levels were rolled out for the first time from October 17, 2017. It was scheduled to end on March 15, 2018. But with air quality better and showing signs of further improvement, the plan is likely to be withdrawn from March 1,” said an EPCA member.
Even though measures to control levels of ‘severe’ and ‘very poor’ are likely to be lifted, ban on open burning will continue throughout the year.
Hindustan Times had earlier reported that despite the toxic haze that had engulfed Delhi for more than a week in November 2017, the Capital breathed comparatively cleaner air in 2017 than in 2016.

Batla House encounter: Court pronounces Ariz Khan guilty of killing Delhi cop

Number of road accidents in Delhi dropped in 2020: Delhi Police

Entry, exit at several Delhi metro stations on green line shut

Delhi AQI in moderate category, no improvement likely till tomorrow

Batla House encounter: Delhi court to pronounce verdict on Ariz Khan’s role

With theme of 'patriotism', Delhi govt to table budget on Tuesday

Farmers’ protest: Key Delhi borders remain closed, traffic diverted

Delhi among top 3 states with most ‘contaminated sites’
- The CPCB report released on Sunday said that there are over 112 sites in India that are contaminated by toxic and hazardous substances.

Pandemic phase of Covid-19 is over: Jain
- An infection is said to be endemic in a population when it is constantly maintained at a baseline level in a geographic area.

AAP smells a scam in Rani Jhansi flyover delay; baseless, charge, says BJP
- The BJP dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and hit back, saying that the AAP should answer why the construction of the Signature bridge in north-east Delhi faced delays.

Shots will stay free at all Delhi govt hospitals
- Appropriate allocation of funds in this regard will be made in the upcoming Delhi budget that is likely to be presented this week, he added .

Indian water gun manufacturers giving China a run for its money
- In February that year, just before Holi, he went back to the Sadar Bazar trader with the water gun he had produced and also the Chinese one.

Animal-friendly Ridge with no barbed fences
- Experts said such initiatives will ensure that the only continuous green space in the national capital is preserved.

9 who delivered babies in PCR vans to attend Women’s Day at Delhi police HQ
- A host of functions to honour women have also been scheduled at different police stations and DCP offices.

BJP plans new campaign to take on AAP after bypoll loss
- Adesh Gupta has also started ‘mandal pravas’ (stay in each municipal wards) to connect with the party workers and supporters.