Air pollution drops by 50 percent in Delhi: Government

Air pollution caused by vehicular traffic has declined by 50 percent in the national capital, the Delhi government said on Sunday.

"More than 50 percent drop in air pollution primarily caused by vehicular traffic has been recorded according to the latest ambient air data collected by mobile teams of Delhi Pollution Control Committee on Saturday at 18 locations, through mobile dust samplers on using the light scattering technique," the government said in a statement.

According to the scientists, Saturday's favourable weather conditions helped in improvement of air quality.

Scientists have been consistent in their opinion that the moment weather conditions improve, the results of the odd-even formula restricting movement of four-wheeled vehicles will show immediate results, the statement said.

PM 2.5 air pollution levels on Saturday showed recordings of less than 100 micrograms/m3 at nine locations, which is more than 50 percent less than average recordings since the odd-even regulations were put in place, the government said.

It added that four locations showed PM 2.5 measurements between 100-200 micrograms/m3. Of these total 18 locations, the lowest measurement was at 59 and the highest at 301 micrograms/m3.