There has been a "seven-fold increase" in Delhi's air pollution level since October 2015, a Center for Science and Environment (CSE) expert said today even as real-time exposure readings of nearly all monitoring stations put PM 2.5 and PM 10 figures above the 'severe' threshold. Growing population of the city.

1. See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285734399
LATEST STEPS TAKEN TO CONTROL AIR
POLLUTION IN METROPOLITAN CITY
RESEARCH · DECEMBER 2015
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3793.8007
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Prem Baboo
National Fertilizers Ltd.,India
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2. LATEST STEPS TAKEN TO CONTROL AIR
POLLUTION
IN
METROPOLITAN CITY
Author
Prem Baboo
Researcher, www.researchGate.net
Manager, www.waternetwork.com
Expert, www.ureaknowhow.com
prem.baboo@nfl.co.in

3. INTRODUCTION
There has been a "seven-fold increase" in Delhi's air pollution level since October2015,
a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) expert said today even as real-time
exposure readings of nearly all monitoring stations put PM 2.5 and PM 10 figures above
the 'severe' threshold. Growing population of the city. The pressure and haphazard
growth of the population is deteriorating the environment. There has been highly
haphazard and unplanned development of industries and factories. Many factors
contribute to this increase, including reliance on fossil fuels such as coal fired power plants,
dependence on private transport motor vehicles, inefficient use of energy in buildings, and the
use of biomass for cooking and heating," Studies have revealed that only about 20% of the
industrial units are set up in the approved industrial areas whereas the rest of them are
in residential and commercial areas. There has been a huge rise in the vehicular
population, in spite of the metro railways, aggravating traffic congestion and increasing
air and noise pollution. It has also been reported that the number of vehicles plying on
the roads of Delhi is more than that of the three metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Kolkata
and Chennai taken together. There have also been an ever-increasing number of diesel
vehicles plying on the roads, which are largely responsible for the air pollution. It has
been reported by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)
that everyday almost 8,000 m tonnes of solid waste is being generated in Delhi. Plus we
also have the industrial hazardous and non-hazardous waste. On an average, every day,
the MCDs and the NDMC manage to clear about 5,000-5,500 m tonnes of garbage. This
results in the accumulation of more and more garbage in the city. There has been no
proper technology or methods to treat solid, liquid, waste water, industrial and hospital
wastes in the city. Problems in Delhi, India are a threat to the well-being of the city's and
area's inhabitants as well as the flora and fauna. Delhi, the sixth-most populated
metropolis in the world, is one of the most heavily polluted cities in India. Reacting to
the report, Anumita Roy & Chowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
said the new WHO data base only confirms the health concerns in India.

4. Particulate matter for measuring pollution
One way of measuring pollution is by the measure of particulate matter. Particulate
matter is basically a mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets like acids,
chemicals, gas, water, metals, soil dust particles, etc., the measurement of which gives an
idea of the pollution of a city. It is also known as particle pollution or PM.
According to global burden of disease estimates, air pollution is the fifth largest killer in
India. Tiny particles (PM10 and PM2.5) go deep inside our lungs and trigger respiratory
and cardiac problems as well as lung cancer,"
Pollution in Delhi: Facts and figures
According to the Ambient Air Pollution (AAP) report for the year 2015, Delhi had PM 2.5
pollution levels, which is the highest in the world, followed by Beijing. This result was
based on the monitoring of PM measurement of outdoor air pollution from almost 1,600
cities in 91 countries. The highest concentration of PM 2.5 form of air pollution is
supposed to be a very serious matter and can lead to respiratory diseases and other
health problems like lung cancer.
Based on the measured ambient concentrations, corresponding standards and likely
health impact, a sub-index is calculated for each of these pollutants. The worst sub-
index reflects overall AQI. Associated likely health impacts for different AQI categories
and pollutants have been also been suggested, with primary inputs from the medical
expert members of the group. The AQI values and corresponding ambient
concentrations (health breakpoints) as well as associated likely health impacts for the
identified eight pollutants are as follows:

6. According to the WHO, air pollution is the fifth largest killer in India.
Carbon monoxide (CO), a dangerous gas emission, is around 6,000 microgram per cubic
metre in Delhi, which is much above the safe level of 2,000 microgram per cubic metre.
The level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has also been increasing. According to the Ministry
of Earth Sciences, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) is 121, which is described as “poor.”
The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality, about how clean or polluted the air is.
Government’s steps to control pollution in Delhi
There are mobile enforcement teams deployed at various locations for monitoring
polluting vehicles and vehicles not having PUC certificates. A Mass Rapid Transport
System (MRTS) is being constructed with the aim of providing a non-polluting, useful
and affordable rail-based mass rapid transit system for Delhi, integrated with other
modes of transport.
With a view to reducing vehicular pollution, there has been a ban imposed on the plying
of more than 15 years old commercial/transport vehicles, taxis and autos that run on
conventional fuels, including diesel driven city buses. There has also been tightening of
mass emission standards for new vehicles. The quality of the fuel being supplied in
Delhi has been significantly improved over the years by the ban of selling leaded petrol,
introduction of low sulphur diesel, reduction of sulphur and benzene content in petrol
There has been regular placement of dustbins, purchase of additional front-end loaders,
mechanical sweepers, dumper placers, tipper trucks, to collect and dispose of garbage.
Steps are taken to transform garbage into compost by developing new sanitary land-fill
sites. The Delhi Government has constituted a committee to implement the Bio-Medical
Waste (management and handling) Rules; 1998.The Delhi Degradable Plastic Bag

7. (Manufacture, Sale and Usage) and Garbage (Control) Act 2000 has been enacted for
banning the manufacture and use of plastic bags, etc.
How can citizens of Delhi help in reducing pollution?
Pollution in Delhi is a perpetual problem which needs to be looked upon as a serious
issue not only by the Government but also by the citizens of the city. One of the easiest
ways is that there should be an efficient involvement of Resident Welfare Associations
in various localities in collection, segregation of garbage from houses and the societies.
Citizens can take steps to covert the garbage into compost in their localities. More and
more trees must be planted in every locality. Every individual should keep a proper
check on the pollution level of their vehicles. Making more use of CNG.One of the best
ways to control pollution is to manage wastes of all types in a proper manner. Each and
every citizen should abide by the 3Rs: Recycle, Reuse, Reduce. More and more people
should use bus and metro instead of cars and scooters, as they can carry a lot more
people in one journey. Car pool is also a good option. Controlling the use of energy and
making use of electricity in an efficient manner. One can also reduce water pollution by
reducing the use of chemicals, cleaning agents, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers etc.
It is the duty of every citizen to think in a broader perspective to control pollution. We
really don’t want our future generations to live in an unhealthy environment in Delhi.
We really don’t want our children or our elders to get into incessant coughing due to
pollution. Like we say charity begins at home, I take a pledge to do what I can for my
environment and protect it to the best I can. If each one of us takes a pledge to do our bit
for our environment, I am sure Delhi will be a better place to live in. Even a small step
counts.
LATEST STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT
Government officials said it was also decided to crowd-source complaints relating to
visibly polluting vehicles and burning of bio-mass, garbage, leaves, etc. using
Information Technology. The Urban Development Department will modify its recently
launched Swachh Bharat mobile app so that complaints can be received from the public
and forwarded for action. “It is believed that a lot of pollution comes from dust. The
PWD will make arrangements for vacuum-cleaning of roads. They need to procure
equipment and identify agencies. The Chief Minister has given instructions to the PWD
that will start vacuum-cleaning of roads from April 1, 2016 since it will take time to
finalise the contract.” In addition, it will also undertake a “massive greening project” on
kutcha roads in the next three to four weeks. MCD parking spaces on PWD roads of
Delhi “creating chaos on roads will be closed down” and the PWD department, to take
effective steps to implement these decisions at the earliest.
Supreme Court takes steps to check air quality on its premises clearing the air is what
the Supreme Court usually does. The top court is doing it again, literally this time.

8. Pollution Checking by Transport Department:
More than 15 years’ old commercial/ transport vehicles. Autos & Taxis driven on
conventional fuels. Diesel driven city buses. Transport Department is ensuring the
effective compliance of these directions through its enforcement teams. The Govt. of
Delhi has provided fiscal incentives by way of sales tax exemption and interest subsidy
On loans for purchase of new replacement vehicles.
Tightening of mass emission standards for new vehicles:
Mass emission norms for new vehicles were introduced in the year 1991. Subsequently,
these norms have been tightened for new vehicles in all categories in 1996 and 2000. At
present, only vehicles (except 2 and 3 wheelers) complying with Bharat Stage III/Euro-
III emission norms and 2 and 3 wheelers complying with Bharat Stage II/Euro-II
emission norms are being registered in the Delhi. Improvement in Fuel Quality: The
quality of the fuel being supplied in Delhi has been significantly improved during recent
years by way of
1. Leaded petrol has been completely phased out.
2. Introduction of Low Sulphur diesel w.e.f. August 1997 reducing Sulphur content
from 0.8% gm/litre to 0.25% gm/litre. The Sulphur content of diesel supplied to
NCT Delhi has been further reduced to 0.035% w.e.f.2010.
3. The quality of petrol being supplied to Delhi has been improved further by
reduction of Sulphur content to 0.015% & Benzene Content to 1%
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India has tightened the
emission level of CO and introduced the measurement of HC emissions in petrol
vehicles. In respect of Diesel vehicles, Oil temperature & RPM measurement has been
included in the test procedure. In compliance with the Gazette notification all
the pollution checking Centres have been directed to get their equipment
upgraded/modified/replaced with the new 4-gas analyser and wherever they have
failed to do so their authorisation has been cancelled.
Plan your trips. Save gasoline and reduce air pollution.
Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. In the summertime, fill gas tank during cooler
evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don’t “top off” the
tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly. Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at
fast-food restaurants or banks. Park your car and go in. When possible, use public
transportation, walk, or ride a bike. Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance
checks (especially for the spark plugs).Use an energy-conserving (EC) grade motor oil.
Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency. Join a carpool or vanpool to get to
work for Your Health. Check daily air quality forecasts, which tell how clean or polluted
your air is, and the associated health concerns. Visit www.airnow.gov.Remove indoor
asthma triggers from your home and avoid outdoor triggers in order to effectively
control your asthma. Visit www.epa.gov/asthma to learn more about asthma triggers
and ways to avoid them. Minimize your sun exposure. Wear sun block and UV
protection sunglasses.

9. LATEST STEP TAKEN TO CONTROL VEHICLE.
Delhi government’s formula to check pollution level: Odd, even number vehicles on
alternate days from Jan 01, 2016. The biggest of the proposed measures is that vehicles
with odd and even registration numbers will be allowed on alternate days from January
01, 2016.
While exact details are awaited, it may mean that if your car's number is 4614, you may
be allowed to take it out for a drive only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday every
week.
CONCLUSION
The prime Minister of India Started Swatch Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission) is the
very important programme and progress is continued. Burning of crop stubble has
tremendous impact on environment. The farmer has advised to switch to alternate
method to crop stubble. Climate changed and global warming is issue of concern for the
whole world.Let us all work together and contribute towards energy conservation.
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