Delhi's air quality turns poor for first time this season

Days before Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi implements odd-even method in a bid to reduce air pollution, capital has recorded poor air quality on Thursday for first time this season. Central Pollution Control Board has informed that Air Quality Index, based on 33 air quality monitoring centres, was at 211. AQI between 201 to 300 is considered as poor.  Indications of increased fire activity during last 48 hours are visible from satellite imry, and furr deterioration of AQI is expected for next two days, CPCB ded.

According to System of Air Quality and Wear Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), southwest monsoon has withdrawn from rthwestern parts of country and conditions are becoming favourable for furr withdrawal from parts of rthwest India and joining central India during next four to five days.  late monsoon withdrawal is t good for air quality in rth India, it said. "During 3rd to 4th week of October, temperature will also start to cool. anticyclone, which persists as part of withdrawal, associated with clear skies and sinking motion will make atmosphere very stable beneath means significantly calm surface winds," SAFAR said. 

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Both will le to stagnant wear conditions like low wind speeds, descending air and compressed boundary layer, which favour rapid fine particulate matter formation and accumulation of pollutants.  It said situation becomes b if it is encountered with any ditional internal (firecrackers) or external (stubble burning) emission source.  "In a landlocked city like Delhi, it may le to rapid accumulation and may trigger high pollution events. However, if local emissions are controlled it will be a good check to observe and avoid air quality crises," it ded.

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What is Odd-Even scheme?

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal anunced last month that odd-even vehicle rule is all set to return to national capital from vember 4 to vember 15. He also said that move is expected to reduce pollution in area by 13-15%. In odd-even scheme, vehicles whose registration number ends on even digits are allowed on even dates and those with odd digits will throng on odd dates. timing for odd even scheme in previous phases was from 8 am to 8 pm. violations of scheme were fined up to Rs 2000. Kejriwal government also exempted two-wheelers, women-only vehicles, CNG, hybrid and electric vehicles, emergency vehicles and VIPs in previous phases. However, Delhi CM has anunced that y will exempt only emergency vehicles this time. 

Odd-Even rule to return in Delhi during vember 4-15: CM Kejriwal

Seven-point action plan by Kejriwal

Apart from implementation of Odd-Even scheme, Kejriwal also anunced a list of measures to fight pollution in national capital. He said that Delhi will celebrate a Pollution-free Diwali without burning of crackers. A massive laser show on Choti Diwali will be held. Kejriwal ded: " laser show will have free entry so that everyone can celebrate Diwali toger and we hope people won't use firecrackers after that." He also said that government will procure masks for public on a massive scale and that y will be me available to public, free of cost. His action plan also includes a dedicated helpline that will also be set up which will help people plant more trees, identification of 12 hotspots in Delhi which are categorised as heavily polluted areas and mechanised sweeping.

(with PTI inputs)

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