Local sources, not crop burning, contributing to pollution: Govt

NEW DELHI: In the last 26 days, the air-quality of Delhi has oscillated between 'poor' and 'severe', a report published by the Delhi government said.

The Delhi government's Environment Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have attributed this local pollution sources and not crop burning in neighbouring states.

Between October 8 and 16, the air quality was 'poor'. It turned 'very poor' and, for a while, 'severe' after October 16.

DPCC officials noted that vehicular pollution played the biggest role in air quality deterioration.

"The existing condition in Delhi is induced due to localised sources. This fact is evident as value observed in NCR is higher than the values observed in Delhi," the department observed.

Though agricultural residue burning has been observed in Punjab and Haryana, the direction of wind from these states is not towards Delhi. Currently, winds in Delhi are coming from west Uttar Pradesh and adjoining Madhya Pradesh.

"Air quality status is relatively better than what it was last year during the same period. However, intense efforts at air pollution reduction are stringently required due to 'very poor' conditions," said Imran Hussain, Delhi Environment minister.

He appealed citizens of Delhi to take all steps to minimise local contribution in emission by using public transport and keeping a close watch on burning of garbage and waste material.

The minister has called for a meeting to look after the ongoing condition of the pollution.

He further directed that all air quality monitoring stations should report each development to his department.