Delhi Pollution: The people of Delhi have been able to breathe much more easily with the lifting of the Stage III restrictions on their air quality, due to a significant drop in the levels of air pollution throughout the National Capital Region (NCR). After almost two months of being subjected to severe air pollution levels and many restrictions, it appears that the city is on the verge of being able to breathe easily again; however, the question remains whether or not this shift will be permanent.
Delhi’s AQI has dropped out of the “severe” category
With Delhi’s AQI now sitting within the “very poor” – “poor” ranges at most of its AQI monitoring stations, and with favourable meteorological conditions playing an important role in dispersing these pollutants from the atmosphere.
Environmental experts are optimistic that while this is an excellent sign of improvement, it should be viewed in context because it is largely driven by meteorological conditions rather than long-term fixes or robust implementation of the existing rules and regulations that help to control hazardous air pollutant emissions and pollutants from both industries and motor vehicles.
GRAP Stage III Curbs Lifted: What Changes Now?
Due to the lifting of the curbs imposed under GRAP Stage III, various restrictions have been lifted and now apply to:
1. The recommencement of construction and demolition activities
2. The re-entry of specific diesel vehicles
3. Reduced limitations on Industrial Operations
In addition, it has been confirmed by authorities that all Stage I and II Restrictions will remain in place so as to ensure that the fundamental Pollution Control Measures are still in effect.
Why Has There Been an Abrupt Increase in Air Quality Improvement?
The temporary improvement of air quality can be linked to the following three reasons:
1. Increased wind speed to disperse pollution
2. Slight increase in temperatures caused by reducing the “inversion layer” (layer of warm air that prevents pollutants from rising away from Earth’s surface).
3. No large spikes in stubble burning recently.
Again, Environmental Experts have informed us that environmental conditions are constantly changing and that these factors will not remain constant.
Is It Likely That Air Quality Will Continue to Improve in the Future?
Forecast models suggest that in several days, if wind speed decreases or if local emissions increase, air quality in Delhi could deteriorate again. As we are currently in the peak of winter, the likelihood of pollution returning is very high.
Environmentalists have also stated that we must not mistake the current short-term improvements in Air Quality as a sign of Long-Term Recovery. Therefore, Environmentalists are calling for the implementation of Permanent Clean and Green transportation.
