Metropolitan air pollution falls by 20 to 25 percent, quality normal in 14 cities
New Delhi. During the nationwide lockdown, the air pollution levels of Delhi and other metros have been reduced by 20 to 25 percent in the last five days due to the shutdown of vehicles, factories and all means related to carbon emissions. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality was improved in the four metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune, which were most affected by air pollution during the Janata curfew on March 22.
Emissions of major air pollution factors (PM10, PM2.5 and NO) have been reduced by 15 to 50 percent in these cities. Air quality index (AQI) has reached a satisfactory level of air quality in 104 major cities of the country during the lockdown issued for the last four days after Janata curfew.
According to AQI’s data till Thursday, the air quality levels in most cities including Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad have become satisfactory. Only in Guwahati, Kalyan and Muzaffarpur the air quality level still remains in the ‘poor’ category. Whereas air quality has reached the normal range in 14 cities including Varanasi and Greater Noida.
It is noteworthy that the status of air pollution in 104 cities of the country is continuously monitored through the air quality index of CPCB. Dr. Palawat said that the situation of the decline in vehicle and dust pollution has been revealed by the figures of CPCB and Travel. Also, rain and strong winds in northwest India have prevented the polluting elements from staying in the atmosphere for the last three days. As a result, the situation of air pollution has improved.
