The Hindu : Pollution level drops

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Pollution level drops

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN. 17. Though Delhi may be far from being "clean and green'', statistics reveal that the Capital is heading in the right direction. According to the comparative data on ambient air quality collated by the Central Pollution Control Board for 2002 and 2003, all parameters except Nitrogen Dioxide have registered a downward trend. However, though the level of Carbon Monoxide, Suspended Particulate Matter and Respirable Particulate Matter may be on the decrease, they are above the permissible limit at the traffic intersection monitoring unit at the crowded I.T.O. in the heart of the city.

As compared to 2001, the level of Nitrogen Dioxide at I.T.O. increased from 67 microgram per cubic metre to 75 microgram per cubic metre in 2002. The figure has risen to 94 microgram per cubic metre in 2003, registering an increase of 20 per cent. This increase is alarming because it exceeds the permissible limit of 80 microgram per cubic metre.

In the industrial areas - Shahadara and Shahzadabad - the level of Nitrogen Dioxide has increased from 29 microgram per cubic metre in 2001 to 35 microgram per cubic metre in 2002. Over the past year, the figure has risen to 36 microgram per cubic metre. This, however, is below the permissible limit.

As compared to 2001, in the residential areas monitored by CPCB - Ashok Vihar, Siri Fort, Nizamuddin and Janakpuri - the level of Nitrogen Dioxide increased from 29 microgram per cubic metre to 33 microgram per cubic metre in 2002. In 2003, the figure stands at 38 microgram per cubic, recording an increase of 13 per cent. Again, this is far below the permissible limit.

"At I.T.O, the increase in the level of Nitrogen Dioxide has been noticeable and is alarming because it has exceeded the permissible limit,'' says Member-Secretary, CPCB, B. Sengupta. This increase is attributed mainly to vehicular pollution. "However, on the whole, there is a decrease in the pollution parameters. That is significant,'' adds Mr. Sengupta.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi