The city will breathe comparatively less polluted air in 2022, owing to active implementation of anti-pollution plans and favorable meteorological conditions.
According to Central Pollution Control Board data, New Delhi recorded 'severe' air quality on only six days in 2022, the lowest in the last seven years.
The capital recorded 24 such days in 2021, 15 in 2020, 24 in 2019, 19 in 2018, nine in 2017 and 25 in 2016. An air quality index (AQI) between 401 and 500 is considered 'severe'.
In December, Delhi's AQI slipped to the 'severe' category on two days, the lowest for the month since 2017.
The city will breathe comparatively less polluted air in 2022, owing to active implementation of anti-pollution plans and favorable meteorological conditions.
Delhi saw its second best air quality (average AQI 210) in October since 2015, when the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) started maintaining AQI data.
The data showed that the average AQI in November was 320, the second best after 2019 when it was 312.
PM2.5 levels in October-November were 38 per cent lower than the same period in 2016, the worst in the last eight years.
Stubble burning, a major reason behind the alarming pollution levels in Delhi-NCR in October-November, has come down by 30 per cent in Punjab and 48 per cent in Haryana this year.
In July, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) unveiled a new policy listing sector-wise action plans to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR over the next five years. A key component of the new policy is the Revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) which focuses on proactive implementation of anti-pollution restrictions based on forecasting.
As per the policy, which comes into force with immediate effect, all thermal power plants located within 300 km radius of Delhi will have to ensure compliance with the emission norms prescribed by the Union Environment Ministry.
The Centre's air quality panel has also banned non-approved fuels, including coal, in industrial and commercial applications. Officials said the ban has come into effect from January 1 and all defaulting establishments will be shut down immediately without any warning.
However, the use of low sulfur coal is allowed in thermal power plants.
The CAQM has directed Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana to register only CNG and electric autos from January 1 and phase out diesel in the National Capital Region (NCR) by the end of 2026. Its purpose is only to ensure CNG and e-autos ply in NCR from January 1, 2027.
