CAPITAL GASPS: Pollution levels to deteriorate over weekend in Delhi

Unfavourable meteorological conditions slowing down dispersion of pollutants did not offer any respite from pollution as Delhi’s air quality continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ category on Thursday. Authorities, however, have forecast “significant deterioration” in pollution levels over the weekend.

The overall air quality index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded at 353, according to the data recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. The CPCB further said that seven areas in Delhi — Ashok Vihar, Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Rohini, Vivek Vihar and Wazirpur —recorded ‘severe’ air quality. As many as 20 places in the national capital recorded ‘very poor’ air quality while it was ‘poor’ in six areas, it said. The level of PM2.5—particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres — was recorded at 206 and the PM10 level was recorded at 360, it said. In NCR, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Noida recorded ‘very poor’ air quality while Gurgaon fell into the ‘poor’ category, CPCB data showed.

According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, the wind speed and ventilation index are “extremely unfavourable” for dispersion of pollutants. Ventilation index determines how fast pollutants can get dispersed.The ventilation index of around 6,000 sqm/second gets rid of pollutants, but it fell to 2,500 sqm/second on Thursday in the city. According to the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR), the air quality is ‘very poor’ and likely to improve due to a slight increase in the wind speed. It will, however, remain in the ‘very poor’ category for the next two days.

“Due to cold front up in the north, the wind speed has increased, which may help in bringing down pollution levels. However, at the time of withdrawal (of high wind speed) after two to three days, a lot of moisture may enter Delhi which is not favourable for the air quality. The contribution from stubble burning is nil,” the SAFAR said. The government agency further said the air quality of the national capital is expected to “significantly deteriorate” on Sunday due to a decline in temperature which might lead to entrapment of pollutants. It, however, said the air quality even after “significant deterioration” is likely to settle in the ‘very poor’ level and not plunge to the ‘severe’ category.

TENDER FOR E-BUSES 

The tender for procurement of 1,000 e-buses by the Delhi government is expected to be floated around January next year, DTC Managing Director Manoj Kumar said on Thursday.

The trial run of two e-buses is currently being conducted by the transport department of the AAP-led Delhi government. The government has appointed the Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System (DIMTS) as a consultant for procurement of e-buses.