Despite Odd Even Formula, Delhi’s Air Quality Remains ‘Very Poor’

The US embassy’s air-quality monitoring system too, at two points during the day, registered PM 2.5 levels in Chanakyapuri that were at least twice yesterday’s levels.

In a move to curb pollution, the Delhi government proposed an “odd/even” number formula for cars, from January 1, 2016. When PM 10 and PM 2.5 levels reach between 351 and 420, and 211 to 252 micro gram per cubic metre, it signifies very poor quality while severe is declared when PM 2.5 and PM 10 cross 253, 421 micro gram per cubic metres respectively.

However, even with the overwhelming compliance of the odd-even scheme the pollution data reveals a different story and it should truly concern not the Delhi government alone but also those who live in the National Capital Region.

He expected that even if the scheme becomes successful through the fortnight, in letting only odd or even numbered cars on alternative days, the pollution levels will come down only by minute levels.

“Thanks to the impact of the wind, even the smog cover over the airport, which in terms of visibility at IGIA was between 600 to 1,200 metres reported for 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. on January 1, it had improved to 1,000 metres to 1,800 metres on Saturday during the same period”, he said. “Such levels have lasted for 10 consecutive days as well”, it said.

Unlike yesterday, SAFAR’s hourly average graph of mass concentration of pollutants did not show any upward trend after 2 PM. The analysis indicated that on January 1 midnight, the average pollution levels had peaked and dipped gradually by 4pm Saturday.

It’s these other factors that may have caused a rise in PM 2.5 from yesterday’s levels in R.K. Puram and Anand Vihar that the pollution control board recorded today. Scientists said higher daytime temperature might have helped disperse the pollutants.

The Delhi government issued a statement saying that level of pollutants showed a “marked decrease” as compared to previous year, while Teri said pollution levels were more than December 31 and “violated” the prescribed limits.

Officials stated the air high quality remained “very poor” at this time due to atmospheric circumstances that didn’t permit pollution to get dispersed. The world’s most polluted city will plant the seeds for cleaner air this New Year. It’s obvious that overall levels will not change majorly.

Delhi took its baby steps to combat worsening air quality in the capital with the odd-even plan experiment put into force by the Arvind Kejriwal government. She added that it would be best to draw conclusions from the data after a few days.