Severe air pollution: IITM study pins the blame on Delhi's neighbours

Cities like Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat and Panipat were the biggest contributors to emissions from outside Delhi at 5 per cent, says the study

As the air quality in Delhi deteriorates to severe levels, a debate has begun on how much of this pollution is caused by local factors. A new report says that sources outside the city mainly cause air pollution in the national capital.

The decision support system (DSS) of the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, an autonomous body, said local pollution sources contributed between 20-30 per cent of the total PM2.5 volume; the rest came from sources outside Delhi, according to a report in The Times Of India.

Citing DSS, the report said NCR towns and others account for 40-45