Govt readies blueprint to check dust pollution

NEW DELHI: After the dust storm wreaked havoc across the Capital earlier this month, the Environment department of Delhi government is likely to prepare a comprehensive plan to combat dust pollution.

Meanwhile, Delhi Environment minister Imran Hussain on Wednesday urged the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to keep constant tabs on the city's air quality.

"The Environment department, DPCC and all scientists are working together to keep a check on the pollution level. If the situation deteriorates, we will take steps to reduce dust pollution through water sprinkling and others," a government official said.

The move comes after air quality levels in Delhi dropped to 'hazardous' earlier this month, with many parts registering an air quality index (AQI) value – a composite measure of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and particulate pollution – of 999 on June 13.

"Dispersion of pollutants became faster after local winds picked up speed, which in turn rapidly decreased the pollution level and improved air quality," said Gufran Beig, programme director at System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

He added that the air quality is expected to improve further.

Delhi experienced zero days of 'good' quality air between March and May 2018, according to AQI values from data compiled by the CPCB's monthly air ambience reports (for March, April and May).

Two days of 'good' quality air were recorded in parts of Delhi. In three months, Delhi-NCR experienced 223 instances of 'poor' air quality and 87 instances of 'very poor', data recorded by seven air-quality monitoring stations, showed.

On Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had said, "The deteriorating air quality in the Capital is a matter of serious concern and local bodies should take initiatives on a priority basis to combat pollution with sustained efforts to enhance the green belt of Delhi, which might be one of the best ways in this regard."

A statement issued by Raj Niwas read, "Stopping civil engineering construction activities in Delhi from June 15, 2018, to June 17, 2018. Municipal Corporations, Delhi Pollution Control Committee and all construction agencies to enforce it. Agencies engaged in construction activities like Delhi Metropolitan Railway Corporation, National Building Construction Corporation, National Highway Authority of India, Municipal Corporations of Delhi etc shall strictly enforce dust control measures at their respective construction sites."