No clarity in pollution trend at borders
No clear pattern emerged out of the pollution data collected so far at Delhi’s borders, leaving doubts about odd-even’s impact on air pollution at Delhi’s exit points.
The government started monitoring air quality at the borders a couple of days before odd-even phase two kicked off.
The plan is to compare air quality before, during and after the traffic-rationing to show that pollution in Delhi reduced, and it went up in neighbouring states as they didn’t follow the restriction.
Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) data showed pollution on Delhi’s side of a few borders actually went up, instead of coming down. The increase, however, was marginal in some cases.
At most stations, though, pollution in Delhi was lower than that outside — a trend consistent with data collected on April 15 when odd-even started.
PM 2.5 concentration in Delhi increased at four out of seven locations — Ghazipur, Anand Vihar, Shahdara, and Badarpur. At the latter two locations, the increase was marginal.
At Noida border, the pollution dropped considerably, both towards Delhi and towards Noida. At Gurgaon, the concentration remained the same. At Tikri, pollution dipped in Delhi and increased towards Bahadurgarh.
The highest PM 2.5 level out of the 74 spots where samples are being collected from was at Bhajanpura, in the north eastern part of Delhi.
PM 10 concentration at four locations was also higher on April 20 compared to April 15. At Noida border (both inside Delhi and outside) it dropped considerably.
Data collected by different pollution monitoring sources did not paint a clear picture about the scheme’s impact within the city either.
However, independent experts maintained that monitoring pollution is complex as it is dependent on several factors constantly varying factors such as temperature, wind speed and moisture.
A study by the School of Planning and Architecture also questioned odd-even’s impact on congestion and air quality. The study showed that there were 50% more private cars on the roads during odd-even part two compared to the first round held in January.
Less time to read?
Try Quickreads
-
Degree college to be opened in Bilaspur’s Swarghat: Jai Ram Thakur
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday laid foundation stones of projects worth ₹112 crore in Bilaspur district on Monday. Addressing a meeting at Ghawandal Chowk, the CM announced that a government degree college will be opened at Swarghat in Naina Devi assembly segment. The CM said the government will take over Shakti Senior Secondary School, Naina Devi and open a Primary Education Block office in Naina Devi.
-
Monsoons likely to hit Himachal on June 28: IMD
With the monsoon likely to hit Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a four-day yellow alert for heavy rainfall coupled with thunderstorms in 10 districts of the state, barring Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti. Shimla meteorological centre director Surender Paul said, “Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds blowing at a speed of 30- 40km/hr are expected in the hill state between June 28 and July 1.”
-
HP constable recruitment paper leak: From history sheeters to I-T officer, list of accused runs long
From history sheeters to an engineer, cricket organiser, transporter, railway clerk, and income tax officer around 171 people from different walks of life have been arrested in the Himachal Pradesh constable recruitment case so far, officials said on Monday. Director general of police Sanjay Kundu said the 171 persons arrested include 116 candidates, fathers of nine candidates, and 46 agents, of which 21 were from the hill state, while 25 were from other states.
-
Punjab budget 2022-23: Mohali to get another medical institute
In a major health-infrastructure boost for Mohali, the AAP-led Punjab government in its maiden budget on Monday announced another super-specialty medical institute for the district. Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, while presenting the Punjab budget, also said the Punjab government aimed to make Mohali a hub of industry and information technology. As announced, the Punjab government will set up the state-of-the-art “Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences” at Mohali.
-
55-year-old man becomes latest victim of Covid in Mohali
A 55-year-old man became the latest victim of Covid-19 in Mohali on Monday, even as tricity's active cases once again crossed the 1000 mark after over four months. The deceased patient, a resident of Kakoli Chhat, Mohali, was also suffering from sepsis and died at the civil hospital in Phase 6. Amid the rising cases, this was the third Covid death in Mohali district in the past 15 days.
