CPCB to keep watch on pollution in Delhi

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to independently monitor and record the data of ambient air quality in Delhi during the ongoing second phase of the odd-even scheme.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar, also asked CPCB to record and analyse the data pertaining to the period before and after the fortnight-long scheme period.

During the brief hearing, counsel for Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) informed the green panel that they have already been recording the data independently for ambient air quality in the national capital in the context of the car rationing scheme, which is set to end on April 30.

Environment scientist Mahendra Pandey who had filed a petition at the green court, had earlier claimed the scheme made no significant progress against battling air pollution in New Delhi, the first time it had been in force, between January 1 and 15.

Pandey, who was previously associated with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), had sought independent monitoring of the air quality index and alleged that vehicular emission was not a major contributing factor to the pollution.

Subsequently, the green court ordered concerned agencies to record and independently monitor air pollution levels during the running of the scheme.

In his petition, while referring to an IIT Roorkee study, Pandey has claimed that no significant change in air quality was registered during the first phase of the scheme. He said that data provided by CPCB made it clear that during odd even days the pollution levels were much higher than the pre-period and the post-period.

"After the completion of first phase of odd-even scheme, tall claims were made by Delhi government by publishing advertisements in newspapers about its success. However, no data was made public regarding the level of pollution till today. Therefore, the claims of success of the odd-even scheme is meaningless as it is not supported by any data," the plea had said.

Last week, the NGT had asked the Delhi government and other authorities to create awareness about air pollution caused by vehicular emissions and burning of municipal solid waste and issue advertisements on the lines of the odd-even scheme.

It had also asked the city government to keep a tab on ambient air quality (AAQ) standards in the national capital and directed it to maintain AAQ within permissible limits apart from introducing measures like destination buses to curb pollution.

It had also set up a committee of officials and asked it to collect samples of ambient air quality from different locations in the city.