New Delhi’s Air Quality Remains ‘Poor’ for Fourth Consecutive Day
The city’s air quality continued to remain in the ‘poor’ category for the fourth consecutive day on Monday, with the air quality index (AQI) at 247. In some stations like Chandni Chowk, Jahangirpuri, Shadipur, NSUT Dwarka, and Mundka, the air quality deteriorated to ‘very poor’ and the AQI reading was over 300.
Implementation of Measures under Stage I of GRAP Delayed
Despite the poor air quality, measures under Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) are yet to be implemented. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has not responded to inquiries regarding this matter.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi’s air quality was in the higher end of the ‘moderate’ category on May 1 and 2 and worsened to ‘poor’ on May 3, with an AQI of 264. The air quality further deteriorated in the following days, reaching a reading of 281 on May 4 and 291 on May 5.
Immediate relief from the poor air quality is unlikely, and the city may experience a prolonged period of poor air days. The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi (EWS), the forecasting body under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, predicts that the air quality will remain poor until May 9. The outlook for the subsequent six days from May 9 is that the air quality is likely to be in the ‘poor’ to ‘moderate’ category. In May 2023, Delhi experienced five consecutive poor air days.
Experts have expressed concerns about the possibility of a dust storm on Tuesday, which could further worsen the air quality. Sunil Dahiya, South Asia analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), emphasized the need for a systematic long-term approach to combat pollution and the implementation of emergency measures when AQI levels are high.
According to Dahiya, the loose soil during summer contributes to the high pollution levels. Without reducing fossil fuel consumption for vehicles and industries, pollution from these sources remains high. Controlling road dust is crucial in addressing this issue.
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, highlighted the need for a summer action plan. During summer, there is a combined challenge of rising dust pollution and frequent exceedance of ozone levels. Targeting combustion sources is essential in addressing ozone pollution.
The Delhi government is currently preparing a summer action plan to tackle these issues.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Air Quality Index (AQI): The article mentions the AQI readings, which can be used as an indicator to measure air pollution levels and progress towards reducing illnesses caused by air pollution (SDG 3.9).
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): The article mentions the implementation of measures under Stage I of GRAP, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, including air quality management (SDG 11.6).
- Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi (EWS): The article mentions the EWS forecasting for air quality, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards (SDG 13.1).
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Air Quality Index (AQI) |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi (EWS) |
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Fuente: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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