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Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi’s AQI ‘Very Poor’ On Diwali, Thick Layer Of Smog Blankets National Capital

Delhiites woke up to ‘very poor’ air quality on Diwali (Thurday). The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 7:45 am stood at 329, indicating a shift from ‘very poor’ to ‘poor’ air conditions. Although there has been a decrease in farm fires, local pollution sources remain significant contributors to the declining air quality, which has lingered between ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ for several days, according to a study conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”; 51 to 100 “satisfactory”; 101 to 200 “moderate”; 201 to 300 “poor”; 301 to 400 “very poor”; and 401 to 500 “severe”. In Aya Nagar, the AQI was 308, while Jahangirpuri and Dwarka recorded 395 and 359, respectively. Weather department officials have said that the city’s AQI levels are likely to improve after 11 am when the temperature will begin to rise and the windspeed is also expected to gain strength. Delhi has witnessed worsening air quality in the past few weeks. On Wednesday as well, the city’s AQI levels stood in the “very poor” category amid concerns that it was likely to further deteriorate in the wake of the bursting of crackers on Diwali.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Banning crackers is wrong': Ex-Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai slams Delhi govt's 'totalitarian' move

A recently released report from Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that smoke from vehicles contributed to more than half of the air pollution in Delhi. Former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai on Thursday hit out at the Delhi government for banning crackers during Diwali and called the move "draconian" and "totalitarian". He further added that pollution in Delhi is not caused by the bursting of crackers.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi pollution caused primarily by local sources, not farm fires: Report

Local sources of pollution, rather than farm fires, were primarily to blame for Delhi’s deteriorating air quality ahead of Diwali this year, according to a report by the non-profit organisation Centre for Science and Environment on Thursday. Delhi’s air quality deteriorated from “poor” to the “very poor” category of the air quality index even though stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana was only responsible for 4.4% of the pollution load in the capital, the analysis said. An air quality index value between 201 and 300 is considered “poor”, while an index value between 301 and 400 is considered “very poor”. Air quality in the “very poor” category can lead to respiratory illness on prolonged exposure. The Centre for Science and Environment analysed PM2.5 concentration trends from September 15 to October 28 and compared the data with that of previous years. PM2.5 refers to tiny airborne particles about 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair and can easily be breathed into the lungs and the bloodstream. The organisation found that vehicular emissions contributed to more than half of the pollution emanating from local sources in Delhi. This was followed by residential burning at 13%, industry at 11%, construction at 7%, energy at 6%, waste burning at 5% and road dust and other sources at 4% each.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi's AQI tanks as air disaster looms on Diwali

Pollution levels in Delhi surged and returned to the “very poor” zone of the air quality index (AQI) on Wednesday, as a thin cloak of grey haze sheathed the city, setting the stage for a potentially bruising Diwali, when the flagrant use of firecrackers will likely drag the Capital into yet another annual air emergency. The AQI jumped to 307 at 4pm, compared to 268 (poor) at the same time the previous day, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed, with barely any surface-level winds of note, even as the long-range transport winds began blowing in from the northwest once again, sweeping in with them hazardous plumes of smoke from farm fires in Punjab. By 11pm, the AQI worsened to 317. These winds, coupled with violations of the blanket firecracker ban, may give Delhi its first tryst with “severe” air this season, experts warned, as the Capital neared the end of its most polluted October since 2020. Every year, Delhi’s skies rumble with the sounds of firecrackers that explode across the city with no intervention from enforcement authorities despite far-ranging curbs on their manufacture, sale and use. This results in a deadly cocktail — emissions from these firecrackers, laden with toxic chemicals like barium, sulphur and lead, dovetail with the already steep levels of local pollutants and smoke from farm fires. The nearly still winter air keeps these pollutants trapped close to the earth, smothering residents with fine particulate matter (microscopic pollutants) that freely travel into people’s lungs and can cause severe respiratory and cardiac illnesses. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said Delhi’s worsening air was primarily down to local factors, with conditions likely to worsen if stubble smoke and firecracker emissions are added to the mix.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

पराली जलाने के मामले कम हुए फिर क्यों रोज जहरीली होती जा रही है दिल्ली की हवा? जानिए वजह

2024 के इस सीजन में पड़ोसी राज्यों में पराली जलाने के मामलों में काफी कमी आई है। इसके बावजूद हवा में सांस लेना मुश्किल हो रहा है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) ने इस पर बुधवार को अपना विश्लेषण जारी किया है। सीएसई के अनुसार, दिवाली से पहले राजधानी के प्रदूषण में सबसे बड़ी हिस्सेदारी गाड़ियों की है। दिवाली से पहले राजधानी के प्रदूषण में पराली की औसत हिस्सेदारी 4.44 प्रतिशत है, इसके बावजूद बुधवार को हवा खराब से बेहद खराब स्तर पर पहुंच गई। रोज के प्रदूषण की बात करें तो गाड़ियों से होने वाले प्रदूषण की हिस्सेदारी करीब 50 प्रतिशत तक रही है। इसके बाद रेजिडेंशियल बर्निंग की 13 प्रतिशत, इंडस्ट्री पल्यूशन की 11 प्रतिशत और कंस्ट्रक्शन सेक्टर की सात प्रतिशत हिस्सेदारी रही है। सबसे अधिक कंजेशन साउथ और वेस्ट दिल्ली में रहा। राजधानी में अब तक पराली के धुंए का गुबार नहीं दिखा है।जमीनी स्तर पर काफी काम करने की जरूरतसीएसई की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, इसका साफ मतलब यह है कि राजधानी में प्रदूषण को कम करने के लिए जमीनी स्तर पर काफी काम करने की जरूरत है। खास तौर पर गाड़ियों से होने वाले प्रदूषण को कम करना लाजमी है। सीएसई की अनुमिता रायचौधरी ने बताया कि आमतौर पर हर साल राजधानी में पराली की हिस्सेदारी की वजह से प्रदूषण बढ़ता है। पहले फेज में पराली सबसे बड़ी वजह बनकर उभरती है। लेकिन इस बार ऐसा नहीं है। हवा खराब से बेहद खराब स्तर पर पहुंची है और पराली की हिस्सेदारी अब तक ज्यादातर दिनों में महज 1 से 3 प्रतिशत तक ही रही है। महज दो दिन यह 8 से 16 प्रतिशत तक पहुंची है। इससे पता चल रहा है कि राजधानी अब भी स्थानीय वजहों से काफी प्रदूषित है। सीएसई का यह विश्लेषण ऐसे समय में आया है जब सर्दियों का आगाज होने को है और दिवाली लगभग आ चुकी है। सीएसई के क्लीन एयर प्रोग्राम की प्रोग्राम मैनेजर संभवी शुक्ला के अनुसार, इस साल पीएम 2.5 के हिस्से 2023 के प्री दिवाली सीजन से ज्यादा ही है। राजधानी की प्रमुख सड़कों से जाम खत्म करने की जरूरत है। गाड़ियां जाम की वजह से इंजन चालू रखकर खड़ी रहती है। इससे सड़कों पर पल्यूशन बढ़ता है। 15 सितंबर से 28 अक्टूबर के बीच यह विश्लेषण तैयार किया गया है।मुख्य बातें➤पीएम 2.5 ने इस बार 14 अक्टूबर को 100 एमजीसीएम के स्तर को पार कर लिया। 2023 में यह इस समय कम था। अब इसके तेजी से बढ़ने की संभावना है। इस साल पीएम 2.5 का सबसे अधिक स्तर 23 अक्टूबर को रहा, उस दिन पराली प्रदूषण 16 प्रतिशत रहा था। 2023 के मुकाबले इस बार 1 से 28 अक्टूबर के बीच पीएम 2.5 का स्तर 13 प्रतिशत तक बढ़ा है।➤इस साल सर्दियों के इस पहले फेज में खराब और बेहद खराब दिनों की संख्या बढ़ी है। वहीं अच्छे दिनों की संख्या कम हुई है। इस दौरान 11 दिन हवा बेहद खराब स्तर पर रही। यह बीते तीन सालों में सबसे अधिक है। प्री दिवाली सीजन में 16 दिन खराब और बेहद खराब रहे हैं। वहीं 2022 व 2023 में ऐसे दिनों की संख्या 13 से अधिक नहीं हुई थी।किस वजह से प्रदूषित हुई राजधानी➤इस साल 1 से 28 अक्टूबर के बीच औसत पराली प्रदूषण महज 4.44 प्रतिशत रहा। इसके बावजूद दूसरे राज्यों से दूसरे तरह का प्रदूषण आ रहा है।➤दिल्ली में प्रदूषण की सबसे बड़ी वजह गाड़ियां हैं। दिल्ली में प्रदूषण के सोर्स में तकरीबन 50 प्रतिशत प्रदूषण इसी वजह से है। इसके बाद 13 प्रतिशत हिस्सेदारी रेजिडेंशियल बर्निंग, 11 प्रतिशत इंडस्ट्रियल और 7 प्रतिशत कंस्ट्रक्शन की हिस्सेदारी है। 6 प्रतिशत हिस्सेदारी एनर्जी, 5 प्रतिशत कूड़ा जलाना और 4 प्रतिशत सड़क की धूल की हिस्सेदारी है।➤20 अक्टूबर तक पराली से होने वाले प्रदूषण की हिस्सेदारी एक प्रतिशत से कम रही। 22 से 25 अक्टूबर के बीच पराली के मामले बढ़े हैं।➤13 हॉट स्पॉट में मुंडका और बवाना को छोड़कर अक्टूबर में पीएम 2.5 का स्तर 2023 की तुलना में अधिक रहा है। मुंडका में 12 प्रतिशत और बवाना में 7 प्रतिशत की कमी आई है। इसके बावजूद बवाना में 21 से 28 अक्टूबर के बीच पीएम 2.5 का औसत स्तर 201 एमजीसीएम तक रहा। बुराडी में यह इस दौरान 204 एमजीसीएम और जहांगीरपुरी में 201 एमजीसीएम रहा।➤आनंद विहार इस सीजन में अब तक सबसे बड़ा हॉट स्पॉट रहा है। यहां पीएम 2.5 का स्तर 111 एमजीसीएम रहा। दूसरे नंबर पर जहांगीरपुरी में 102 एमजीसीएम, नेहरू नगर और विवेक विहार में यह 92 एमजीसीएम रहा।

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

पराली जलाने के मामले कम हुए फिर क्यों रोज जहरीली होती जा रही है दिल्ली की हवा? जानिए वजह

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi’s air quality picks up marginally; traffic, firecracker bursting set to worsen woes

The air quality in the Capital continued to remain well below acceptable levels in the run-up to the Diwali festival, as traffic restrictions and huge rush on Dhanteras gridlocked city roads. On Tuesday, Delhi recorded an air quality index of 268 (“poor”), an improvement from the AQIs of 304 (“very poor”) and 356 (“very poor”) clocked on Monday and Sunday, respectively, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). However, the marginal improvement is not here to last, as the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) for Delhi has predicted the air quality to dip to at least “very poor” by November 1. Over the past week, Delhi has already recorded a four-day streak of “very poor” air due to farm fires and emissions from vehicles caught in snarls — a regular feature — across key city roads, due to an array of religious, entertainment and official events. Anumita Roychowdhury, an air expert and executive director at the Centre for Science and Environment, said, “The AQI on the days following Diwali starts shooting up due to the huge amount of bursting of fireworks. When there is so much concentrated burning within a very short period of time, the emissions naturally impact the pollution levels. Additionally, we already observe calm winds and lack of natural ventilation in the city as winter approaches, which helps the pollutants settle down.” Last year, the AQI on the day of Diwali, November 12, was 218 (“poor”) which deteriorated to 358 (“very poor”) the next day and further to the edge of the “severe” level, clocking 397 (“very poor”) on November 14.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Air Pollution During Diwali May Impact Your Overall Health - Here's How

Diwali festivities bring a surge in air pollution, significantly affecting health. From respiratory and cardiovascular risks to impacts on mental well-being, pollution poses dangers, especially for children and the elderly. Taking precautions like using air purifiers, limiting outdoor exposure, and opting for green crackers can reduce health risks during the festival. As we all gear up to celebrate the most awaited festival of the year - Diwali, the excitement is unmatched. However, this time we need to stay extra cautious as most parts of the Delhi-NCR are grappling with the health risks linked with air pollution. The post-Diwali spike in pollution is a well-known issue, as firecrackers emit harmful gasses and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), causing a surge in air pollution levels. The short-term effects are visible with poor visibility and smoke-filled air, but the long-term health implications are much more serious. But if we follow the right strategies, we can keep health problems at bay. How Diwali Pollution Affects Your Health - Respiratory Health Risks During Diwali, the increase in air pollutants, especially PM2.5 and PM10 particles, directly affects respiratory health. These fine particles penetrate deeply into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. Studies have shown that air pollution increases respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis. Data from the Indian Journal of Chest Diseases and Allied Sciences revealed a 30 per cent spike in asthma-related emergency room visits in major Indian cities immediately following Diwali. Further, those with existing respiratory conditions are more likely to experience severe symptoms, while healthy individuals may suffer from cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing due to the smoke and pollutants in the air. - Cardiovascular Health Effects The effect of Diwali-related pollution doesn’t stop with the lungs; it has a significant impact on heart health as well. A study published in The Lancet found that prolonged exposure to air pollution increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure. Pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), released by firecrackers, contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation, which can trigger cardiac events. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), particulate matter increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and the risk is even higher in people with pre-existing conditions. The days following Diwali often see a surge in hospital admissions for heart-related issues, particularly among the elderly and those with pre-existing heart conditions. - Impact on Mental Health The effects of Diwali pollution also impact mental health. A 2022 study in Environmental Health Perspectives suggested that prolonged exposure to high pollution levels is linked to heightened anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. The WHO has indicated that air pollution may play a role in altering brain functions and can worsen mood disorders, especially in younger populations. Noise pollution, an often overlooked byproduct of Diwali, also contributes to stress and anxiety. Research published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry shows that continuous exposure to loud noise can lead to sleep disturbances, increased stress hormones, and reduced quality of life. - Children and the Elderly: High-Risk Groups Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to pollution-related health issues. Children’s immune systems are still developing, and their lungs are more susceptible to the damaging effects of fine particles. A 2019 study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that air pollution stunts lung development in children, leading to chronic respiratory issues later in life. The elderly, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions, also experience heightened risks. For example, in the weeks following Diwali, many hospitals report an increase in respiratory infections, aggravated asthma symptoms, and heart-related complications among older adults. Ways to Protect Your Health During Diwali With the health risks in mind, here are ways to minimise the impact of pollution during Diwali: Use Air Purifiers Indoors An effective way to limit exposure to indoor pollutants is by using air purifiers, particularly HEPA-filter purifiers that can reduce PM2.5 and PM10 particles. Ensure you use them at night to improve indoor air quality and aid in better sleep. Limit Outdoor Activities Avoid outdoor activities, especially strenuous ones like jogging or cycling, in the days following Diwali when pollution levels peak. If outdoor activities are necessary, consider wearing an N95 mask that can help filter out harmful pollutants. Opt for Green Crackers Many states in India are promoting “green crackers,” which produce less smoke and reduce pollution by at least 30% compared to traditional firecrackers. They’re designed to emit less particulate matter, making them a safer choice for the environment and your health. Maintain Proper Ventilation While it may seem counterintuitive to open windows during high-pollution times, airing out your home at intervals, especially after Diwali night, helps reduce indoor pollutant buildup. For high-pollution areas, it's ideal to ventilate during midday when pollution levels might be lower. Stay Hydrated and Eat Healthily Staying hydrated helps flush out toxins from the body. Including foods rich in antioxidants, like berries, nuts, and leafy greens, helps combat oxidative stress induced by pollution. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and flax seeds also help reduce inflammation.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

At 304, Delhi’s pre-Diwali AQI worsens to ‘very poor’

A day before Diwali, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi worsened to ‘very poor’ with the 24-hour average reported at 304 as against the AQI of 268 on Tuesday. The capital was the most polluted city in the country, and the only one in ‘very poor’ category. The air quality was significantly worse than in the pre-Diwali days in the last two years but slightly better than in 2021 (314 AQI). Similarly, the air quality fared better in 2017 and 2019 with 302 AQI and 287 AQI respectively, reported a day before Diwali. The most polluted place was Mundka with 383 AQI followed by Anand Vihar with 379 AQI, both in the ‘very poor’ categories as of Wednesday noon. Eleven out of the 37 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations reported ‘very poor’ air quality and the rest ‘poor’. Every year in the capital it is a common trend for the firecrackers to be set off in defiance of the ban. This causes the PM2.5 and PM10 levels to soar and worsen the 24-hour average air quality in Delhi. The Delhi government had on October 14 imposed a complete ban on firecrackers, including their manufacturing, storage, sale, usage and online delivery. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has warned of increase in pollution levels with Diwali and stubble burning season coinciding this year. Rai on Tuesday urged the Centre to impose a similar ban on NCR states, adding that so far 19,005 kg of firecrackers had been seized in raids across Delhi, and 79 cases had been registered against violators. Diwali-related traffic could be already adding to the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels as the pollutant emission recordings show a spike in at least 19 air quality monitoring stations, as of 11 am on Wednesday compared to the previous day’s average NO2 levels. An assessment by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in 2022, shows that hourly nitrogen dioxide levels correlate well with traffic congestion in the city. It found that among the local pollution sources in the capital, vehicles were the main reason behind half of Delhi’s contribution to PM2.5 concentration in the Diwali week of 2022. The 24-hour average NO2 concentration in Delhi was 67 µg/m3 at 11 am on Wednesday, which was 63% higher than World Health Organisation’s prescribed limit of the pollutant (25 µg/m3). However, it was within the National Ambient Air Quality Standards — 80 µg/m3. Among the stations, the significant pollutant was NO2 at ITO which reported a 24-hour average NO2 concentration of 298 µg/m3 on Wednesday noon. What does the forecast say? The air quality may reach in ‘severe’ category on Thursday and Friday (October 31 and November 1) in case of additional emissions from firecrackers and stubble/waste fires, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune (IITM) on Wednesday. The IITM has forecast a ‘very poor’ air quality in the city on Wednesday and ‘very poor’ for the next two days unless there are additional emissions. In the long-term forecast, it expects the air quality to fluctuate between ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels. A change in wind direction forecast to the Northwest on Thursday may also bring additional pollutants due to stubble burning cases in the neighbouring states. Calm winds are also unfavourable for the dispersal of pollutants, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast calm winds on November 2.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Gurgaon chokes on ‘poor’ air again, blame low wind speed and local emissions

Gurgaon: The city's air quality on Tuesday deteriorated to "poor" level at 243 as wind speed went down to 5kmph from 16kmph. The air was "moderate" a day before at 188. Gwalpahari air monitoring station registered the highest AQI at 303 (very poor), while other monitors recorded poor air. The index was recorded at 244 in Sector 51, 223 in Teri Gram and 200 at Vikas Sadan. The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQES) forecasted pollution levels may escalate to "very poor" category by Diwali on Oct 31. Also, the wind direction is likely to shift back to northwesterly on Thursday, potentially exacerbating the air quality. Experts said year-round surveillance of pollution sources and emission reduction are crucial to tackle air pollution. "By Thursday, we anticipate a shift in wind direction back to northwesterly, which may intensify stubble contribution to pollution again. Additionally, emissions from vehicles, dust from broken roads and waste burning among others are aggravating the situation," said Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). On Tuesday, both PM2.5 and PM10 levels were considerably above the permissible limits, indicating rise in pollutants from local sources, including vehicular emissions and dust. The PM2.5 level was highest in Gwalpahari (303 µg/m³), followed by Sector 51 (244 µg/m³), Teri Gram (223 µg/m³) and Vikas Sadan (200 µg/m³), according to the CPCB data. PM10 levels were also highest in Gwalpahari (298 µg/m³), followed by Sector 51 (287 µg/m³), Teri Gram (243 µg/m³), whilst Vikas Sadan station failed to record PM10 data. According to the CPCB, the annual average permissible limits for PM2.5 and PM10 are 60 µg/m³ and 100 µg/m³, respectively. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". According to CPCB guidelines, when AQI is in the "moderate" category, breathing difficulties may affect people with asthma and lung or heart disease. Data from the Centre's Decision Support System (DSS) revealed contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's PM 2.5 concentration was approximately 3.34% on Sunday. This decreased from around 5.5% on Saturday and 14.6% on Friday. The highest single day contribution of farm fires to Delhi's PM 2.5 load this season was 15.97% on Oct 23. At present, the stage 2 of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is operational in the region. This encompasses 11 measures, including a prohibition on diesel generator sets across NCR — excluding those for emergency and essential services — and utilisation of coal and firewood, including in tandoors. Additional measures under the stage 2 include enhanced parking fees across NCR to discourage private transport usage, and augmentation of public transport (CNG/electric buses and metro) through procurement of additional fleets or increased service frequency.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Local pollutant sources primary contributors to Delhi's deteriorating air quality Analysis

With a decrease in the number of farm fires, local pollutant sources continue to be the primary contributors to the deterioration of Delhi's air quality, accounting for 95 per cent of PM2.5 levels, according to a recent analysis. The analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) says Delhi's air quality has deteriorated from "poor" to "very poor", highlighting that local pollution sources, primarily vehicular emissions, are chiefly responsible for this decline. The CSE's pre-Diwali and pre-winter assessment shows that farm fires contribute only about 4.44 per cent to Delhi's PM2.5 levels, while local pollution sources account for more than 95 per cent. Notably, the transport sector is responsible for more than half of the pollution, followed by residential burning (13 per cent), industrial emissions (11 per cent) and construction activities (7 per cent), according to the analysis. "This year, the air quality has worsened even though the contribution of farm fires has remained significantly lower than previous years," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the CSE. "The city can no longer deflect blame onto farm fires. We must urgently address local pollution sources," she added. The analysis, covering PM2.5 levels from September 15 to October 28, indicates a concerning trend -- the PM2.5 levels reached 213 µg/m³ on October 23, coinciding with a temporary spike in farm-fire contributions. However, the overall increase in the PM2.5 levels in October shows a 13-per cent rise compared to the same period last year, with a record number of "very poor" air quality days. The CSE's study also identified a significant rise in traffic congestion across major roads in Delhi, exacerbating the pollution levels. The average speed reduction during peak hours on weekdays was reported at 40.8 per event, leading to higher nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels. The analysis revealed that congestion on the weekend before Diwali resulted in particularly elevated NO2 levels, peaking at 75 µg/m³ in the evening. According to the report, 11 days of "very poor" air quality were recorded in October -- an increase from previous years -- while "good" air quality days drastically dropped from 11 in 2022 to just two this year. As Delhi faces this pressing environmental crisis, experts assert that significant and immediate action is required to combat local pollution. "Effective measures must be implemented to tackle emissions from vehicles, industry and other local sources," Roychowdhury said.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi's Air Quality Crisis: Local Pollutants Take a Toll

Despite a decrease in farm fires, Delhi's air quality declines, with local pollutants being the major contributors. The Centre for Science and Environment reports vehicular emissions as the main source, urging immediate action to curb local emissions as the city's air quality plummets from 'poor' to 'very poor.' Delhi's air quality has hit alarming levels, with local pollutants making up the bulk of deteriorations, as revealed by a recent analysis from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The report underscores vehicular emissions as the primary culprits, with a staggering 95% contribution to PM2.5 levels, dwarfing the impact of farm fires, which contribute a mere 4.44%.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Farm Fire Smokescreen Off, CSE Says Vehicles Key Issue

New Delhi: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has conducted a pre-winter analysis which says that local pollution sources, with vehicle emissions at the forefront, are worsening the city's air quality. The analysis indicates that the AQI worsened despite a decrease in farm fires. It also highlighted that the south and west Delhi areas are most vulnerable to high PM2.5 levels. The analysis identified the transport sector as the biggest contributor, accounting for more than half of the pollution from local sources, according to the CSE analysis. "Usually, every year, the contribution of farm fires to Delhi's air quality during this first phase of winter is considered the biggest problem, detracting attention from the local sources of air pollution. But this year, the air quality of Delhi turned from poor to very poor even when, for most of this phase, the contribution of farm fires remained less than 1 to 3 per cent, reaching up to 8-16 per cent only on two days. This exposes the problem of a higher contribution from local air pollution sources," Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at CSE, said. She added that the contribution of vehicles among the local sources of Delhi to the city's air quality is more than half. "With the overall number of farm fires declining, the city cannot hide behind its smokescreen anymore. This demands very stringent advanced action at scale and with speed to minimise the local pollution in Delhi and its surrounding region," she said. The analysis came at the onset of winter and a day before Diwali, anticipating a peak in episodic air pollution from stubble burning and the bursting of firecrackers. "It focuses on current trends in PM2.5 levels to understand the nature of the change in air quality and the changing pattern of the contribution of different sources of air pollution to overall particulate pollution in Delhi," Shambhavi Shukla, programme manager of the Clean Air Programme at CSE, said. Shukla added that the PM2.5 levels during this phase of winter appear to be similar and even higher compared to the same time frame during previous winters, suggesting that air quality has not improved substantially and is at a risk of worsening. The study highlights congestion on major roads across the city as a new challenge. The study found that the highest PM2.5 spike this early winter (Sept 15-Oct 28) was recorded on Oct 23, reaching 213 micrograms per cubic metre when the contribution of farm fires was 16%. However, the average PM2.5 level from Oct 1-28 shows an increase of about 13% compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The analysis found that all 13 pollution hotspots continue to remain problematic, showing a rise in PM2.5 levels this Oct, compared to 2023, except Mundka and Bawana, that showed improvements of 12% and 7%, respectively. The study holds local sources as well as the surrounding region of Delhi or districts of Haryana, UP, MP, Bihar, Rajasthan responsible and demands a region-wide and airshed-based mitigation strategy.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Local pollutant sources primary contributors to Delhi's deteriorating air quality: Analysis

The analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) says Delhi's air quality has deteriorated from 'poor' to 'very poor', highlighting that local pollution sources, primarily vehicular emissions, are chiefly responsible for this decline.

Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy

Study Finds Loopholes in Implementation of EPR System for Plastic Packaging

India’s plastic waste problem can be managed by giving more teeth to its policies and guidelines, such as the country’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines for plastic packaging, says a new study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based think-tank. CSE’s latest study also highlights significant gaps in the implementation of the guidelines. “India is taking steps to fight the plastic waste menace, but its efforts will not see fruition unless it gives more teeth to its policies and guidelines like EPR”, says the report. Sunita Narain, director general, CSE, said: “We must manage our plastic in a manner so that it does not become a waste. The government’s EPR guidelines are an important tool, but the operational loopholes and other concerns that have emerged from the CSE assessment can lead to questions about its integrity – we must ensure that all this effort does not end up being a “waste” of time.” CSE’s study underscores the need for robust interventions to ensure that India’s EPR framework effectively addresses plastic pollution and upholds the “polluter pays” principle. The report said EPR in this context implies that producers and other stakeholders (such as importers etc) of plastic packaging material can be held accountable for their products through their entire lifecycle. This means that Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) must invest in collection, transportation, channelisation and recycling of packaging plastic waste, says the report. The EPR guidelines, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on February 16, 2022, require manufacturers, PIBOs as well as Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) to register on a centralised portal. This framework sets specific targets for collection, recycling, end-of-life, recycled content usage and selective re-use in plastic packaging. CSE’s study, however, reveals major gaps in enforcement and systemic integrity that need urgent redressal. According to the study, the centralised EPR portal has received 41,577 registrations from PIBOs (till the time of the CSE assessment) --- 83% of the registered PIBOs are Importers, 11% are Producers and 6% are Brand Owners. Of these, producers are responsible for introducing the majority of plastic packaging into the Indian market, cumulatively accounting for 65% of the total. Brand owners are the next biggest contributors with 26%. Importers, despite being the highest in numbers to register, have only introduced 9% of the plastic packaging introduced in the market. Atin Biswas, programme director, sustainable solid waste management and circular economy unit, CSE said, “No manufacturers of virgin plastics feature on the portal, despite the EPR guidelines mandating registration for manufacturers. Another concern is that key contributors to plastic waste management, such as urban local bodies (ULBs) and informal waste collectors lack representation in the EPR framework. This absence deprives them of incentives and support to manage plastic waste effectively, placing an undue burden on local governments.” While collection targets have been in force since the notification of the guidelines, the (mechanical) recycling targets have kicked in from 2024-25. In 2024-25, registered PIBOs have a mandate to mechanically recycle 35% cent of the total plastic packaging introduced into the Indian market across all plastic categories. These PIBOs have introduced 23.9 million tonne (MT) of plastic packaging into the Indian market since the launch of the EPR portal in April 2022 – this translates into an annual average plastic packaging waste generation of about 8 MT. Biswas said, “This indicates that the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB’s) estimation of annual average plastic waste generation (all kinds of plastic waste) of 4.1 MT is an underestimation.” The study highlights another problem. As almost 66% of the plastic packaging introduced into the Indian market is flexible in nature, this kind of plastic is difficult to collect and recycle. A March 2024 amendment to the EPR guidelines under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, has reclassified multi-layered plastic (MLP) packaging -- used to package chips, biscuits etc, and other small formats such as sachets – as flexible plastic packaging. Siddharth G Singh, programme manager, sustainable solid waste management and circular economy, CSE, said in a release, “Cities across the Indian sub-continent have been struggling to deal with MLP packaging: a very small fraction of this waste goes for mechanical recycling and processing. The reclassification of MLP into flexible plastic category takes away the pressure from PIBOs to design their plastic packaging better, keeping the end-of-life of plastics in consideration. The burden of collecting and managing problematic formats of plastic packaging thus falls on local governments.” Singh said, “Currently, PIBOs are paying only 10% of the total cost of collecting and channelising plastics to a plastic waste processor or recycler, especially for MLP packaging.” In October 2023, the CPCB and state pollution control boards blew the lid off a scam in this sector. They discovered that plastic waste recyclers in three states were indulging in generation of fake ‘plastic certificates’. The regulatory bodies found that 0.7 million (seven lakh) fake certificates were generated by plastic recyclers. This is 38 times more than the certificate generation capacity of recyclers. The CPCB has already imposed a cumulative fine of Rs 355 crore on the violators. “Such practices drive certificate prices to untenable lows, undermining the system’s credibility. We have found that the malpractice is more widespread than believed. CSE’s assessment has discovered many more states where fake certificates are being generated. End-of-life disposal service providers such as waste-to-oil, waste-to-energy and cement co-processing facilities have been found to be generating certificates and transferring in volumes exceeding their registered processing capacities. As far as we know, no action has yet been taken against the PIBOs for defeating the purpose and principles of the EPR guidelines,” Singh said. Shrotik Bose, research associate, sustainable solid waste management and circular economy unit, CSE, said “We have found huge differences between the quantity processed and the registered and verified capacities. For instance, end-of-life co-processing (cement plants) units claim to have collectively processed 335.4 MT per annum (TPA) of plastic packaging waste against a capacity of a mere 11.4 million TPA!” The CSE report suggests some critical interventions that can be made to make the EPR system for plastic packaging more robust. Says Biswas, “We have some time. The implementation of the guidelines have a timeline till 2027-28. Corrective measures, if taken timely, can help run a well-oiled market-driven EPR system.” Aniket Chandra, senior research associate, sustainable solid waste management and circular economy unit, CSE, and co-author of the study, says: “The current EPR regime misses a very important set of stakeholders – the informal sector and WMAs; these need to be recognised to increase the traceability of the value chain.” The writer is a freelance journalist based in Patna, Bihar.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Local pollution sources responsible for Delhi's bad air, not farm fires: Study

Despite a decrease in farm fires, local pollution sources continue to contribute to the deterioration of Delhi's air quality, which has hovered between 'poor' and 'very poor' for the past several days, according to a study conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The CSE study makes it clear that when external pollution sources are sidelined, local contributors, especially the transport sector, emerge as significant culprits. This sector alone accounts for more than half of the pollution from local sources.