After two days of slight relief, Delhi breathes ‘very poor’ air again

Data from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology Pune’s Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Management showed vehicular emissions were the largest contributor to Delhi’s pollution load on Wednesday, accounting for 19.7%, followed by industries in the city and its periphery at 10.1 % and residential sources at 4.9%. Among NCR districts, Jhajjar in Haryana contributed the highest share to Delhi’s pollution at 20%, followed by Sonipat (4%), Panipat (4 %), Gurgaon (4 %) and Rohtak (2.3%,), the data showed.

Delhi’s AQI worsened on Friday after sustained and strong winds had improved the air quality slightly on Wednesday and Thursday.

While the maximum temperature settled at 22.3 degrees Celsius on Friday, the minimum temperature settled at 7.7 degree Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a maximum and minimum temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius and 7 degrees Celsius, respectively, on Saturday, with dense fog expected over the next few days.

Meanwhile, CM Rekha Gupta said that automated commercial vehicle fitness testing stations are being established to cut down vehicular pollution. The fitness centre at South West Delhi’s Jhuljhuli is already operational and is testing around 70,000 vehicles annually, while the fitness centre at North Delhi’s Burari is being upgraded. Two similar centres at Nand Nagri in North East Delhi and Tehkhand in South East Delhi are expected to become operational by March next year. Collectively, these four centres will be able to conduct fitness tests for approximately 2.5 to 3 lakh commercial vehicles annually, Gupta said.

The government has decided to install five additional automated vehicle fitness testing stations at various DTC depots, all of which have received the necessary approvals. These stations will be established at Bawana, Ghazipur, Savda Ghevra, GTK Depot and Dichau Kalan.

On Friday, around 28 goods-carrying buses, including interstate vehicles, were impounded, while around 100 buses have been impounded this month so far for violations related to pollution norms, Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said.

In the last 24 hours, 4,927 vehicles were inspected, resulting in 2,390 challans by Delhi Traffic Police (PUCC), 285 challans by Transport Enforcement (PUCC), and 1,114 challans through ANPR cameras. Additionally, 11 vehicles were penalised for GRAP violations by the Transport Department, while 170 GRAP-related challans were issued by Delhi Traffic Police. A total of 238 vehicles were returned after compliance.

The Transport department has also placed 28 PUC centres under suspension, shut two units and action has been also initiated against two more centres over alleged discrepancies in issuing PUCCs (pollution under check certificates). In a case of alleged malpractice, a police complaint has been lodged against a PUC centre at Gokulpuri Police Station for issuing forged PUCCs, said officers.