The Hindu : Front Page : Delhi faces a deadly winter ahead

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007
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Delhi faces a deadly winter ahead

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The many measures taken to check air pollution in the Capital notwithstanding, the winter of 2007 will see Delhiites inhale a concoction of harmful gases and particulate matter, the Centre for Science and Environment has warned in its latest report.

A recent analysis of ambient air quality carried out by the CSE has revealed that Delhi is on the verge of losing the gains of its eco-friendly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) programme introduced in a big way in 2002. ``The air pollution is on its way back to the pre-2000 levels,” warned CSE Director Sunita Narain at a press conference here on Tuesday.

“In 2002, the annual average level of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) in Delhi’s residential areas stood at 143 microgram per cubic metre, which dropped to 115 microgram per cubic metre by 2005. The upward swing has been noticeable since 2006 when the annual average levels jumped to 136 microgram per cubic metre,” she said.

What has also set alarm bells ringing is the daily levels of finer particulates smaller than 2.5 micron size (PM2.5) that have already reached 240 microgram per cubic metre by the end of October this year.

Studies have shown than an increase of only 10 microgram per cubic metre of PM2.5 is associated with a significant increase in health risks.

Presence of higher levels of PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides, which have been mounting to dangerous levels in the Capital, exposes Delhiites to many health problems ranging from asthma to chronic bronchitis and from heart damage to lung cancer.

High air pollution

Though Delhi took the lead in enforcing use of the eco-friendly CNG, a mismanaged and inadequate transport system is responsible for the city’s relapse to higher levels of air pollution.

“Delhi has not been able to check the use of diesel. The market share of diesel cars has increased from a mere 2 per cent in 1999 to 30 per cent in 2007 and this is expected to rise to 50 per cent by 2010,” said Ms. Narain.

Diesel vehicles are known to emit higher smoke, particles and nitrogen oxide than petrol-run vehicles.

“The first generation reforms are over. In the past five years the city has done what it could to reduce pollution. The second generation reforms will need to address the new challenge -- the exponential growth of private vehicles,” said Ms. Narain.

Better transport system

Calling for a better public transport system, she said: “The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority in its recent report noted that the bus numbers in the city do not even add up to 10,000 set by the Supreme Court way back in 1998. The misuse of diesel for running cars and private vehicles is absolutely criminal, because it is a subsidised fuel meant for mass transit systems, goods carriers and inter-State vehicles. Diesel, which emits five times more RSPM and nitrogen oxide than petrol, should not be allowed for use in cars.”

Pointing out that the appearance of fog in Delhi earlier than usual could be attributed to a possible climate change, Ms. Narain said the higher levels of pollution turn the fog into smog.

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