The quality of air in Delhi, going through one of its worst smog spells this season, largely fell in the 'very poor' category with the National Air Quality Index recording 'severe' level of pollutants in areas such as Anand Vihar.
Delhi Pollution Control Committee's real-time readings showed that suspended particulate matter, PM 2.5 and PM 10, levels were way above the safe limits of 60 and 100 micrograms per cubic metre in multiple areas of the city.
System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) monitoring stations, located across the city in areas such as Delhi University, Dhirpur, Mathura Road, Pusa road had AQI of PM 2.5 and PM 10 above 300 and 200 respectively, considered 'very poor'.
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"Very poor" signifies PM 10 and PM 2.5 levels between 351 and 420 and 211 to 252 micro gram per cubic metre. "Severe" is declared when PM 2.5 and PM 10 cross 253, 421 micro gram per cubic metres respectively.
Anand Vihar, a heavily congested area which also houses a interstate bus terminal, fared poorly across categories. It's air quality index hovered in and around 450 that may affect people and seriously impact those with existing diseases.
PM 10 reached nearly 700 microgram per cubic metre in Anand Vihar as per DPCC's Anand Vihar station. Mandir Marg, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh fared no better in terms of pollution.
PM 2.5 and PM 10 are very fine respirable particulate matters that are potentially damaging to the respiratory system.
The phenomenon of smog, a harmful mixture of smoke and fog, experts say, is a play of multiple factors including high moisture levels, vehicular and industrial emissions and lack of wind movement.
The steps by the Delhi Government were announced after
Diwali fireworks pushed pollution in the city to a dangerous level, the worst in three years, as it turned the air highly toxic due to a deadly cocktail of harmful respirable pollutants and gases.
The Deputy Chief Minister said sub-divisional magistrates and assistant engineers of PWD have been asked to take action and issue challans against those storing construction materials on roads.
Swachh Delhi App developed by the Urban Development Department will also be linked with dust complaints from construction sites, he said adding public awareness will be created so that citizens can send complaints using the App.
Another step announced by him was installation of emission control device like chimney, wet scrubber, etc at cremation grounds in collaboration with all three MCDs.
"There are 75 cremation grounds which also contribute in increasing pollution level. With the help of MCDs, we will install smoke tappers to curb air pollution," Sisodia said.
Apart from this, the AAP government has also decided to begin pilot for controlled burning using piping and venting at all landfill sites to reduce uncontrolled toxic emissions at source.
The Deputy CM directed that immediate steps be taken to control/trap methane to reduce its emissions in open air. DPCC and DJB will submit a report to the Deputy CM after exploring the use of sludge on the landfill sites.
A senior government officials said that matter will be taken up with GAIL with respect to controlled burning methane gas and covering of landfill sites with inert material, alum sludge from water treatment plant of DJB.
The Kejriwal government will also request neighbouring states to help reduce autorickshaw crowding at entry points of Delhi which cause air pollution and traffic congestion.
The Deputy Chief Minister has decided to take a weekly review of the steps decided in the meeting. Sisodia will also meet officials of concerned departments on a regular basis.
