Delhi logged just six days of 'severe' air quality in 2022, the lowes💝t in the last seven years, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
The capital recorded 24 such days in 2021, 15 in 2020, 24 in 2019, 19 in 20𓆉1🐽8, nine in 2017 and 25 in 2016.
An Air Q🐎uality Index (AQI) between 401 anꦰd 500 is considered 'severe'.
In December, Delhi's AQI slipp⛦ed into the 'severe' category on two days -- the lowest in the mo🐠nth since 2017.
The city breathed comparatively less polluted air i🧔n 2022 thanks to proactive implementation of anti-🙈pollution plans and favourable meteorological conditions.
Delhi saw its secon🍸d best air quality (average AQI 210) in October since 2015, when the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) started maintaining AQI data.
The data showed that the ave🍨rage AQI in November stood at 320, the second best after 2019 when it w🥃as 312.
The PM2.5 lꦡevel this October-Nove🐈mber was 38 per cent lower compared to the corresponding period in 2016, which was the worst in the last eight years, it stated.
Stubble burning, a major reason behind hazardous pollution levels in Delhi-NCR in October-November, r🍸educed by 30 per cent in Punjab and 48 per cent in Haryana this year.
In July, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) unveiled a new policy listing sector-wise action plans to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR in the next five years. A key component of the new policy is the revamped Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) which focuses on proact💖ive implementation of anti-pollution curbs based on forecast.
According to thꦛe policy, which came into effect immediately, all thermal power plants located within a 300-km radius of Delhi will have to ensure compliance with emission standards𓆉 set by the Union environment ministry.
The Centre's air quality panel has also banned unapproved ☂fuels, including coal, in industrial and commercial applications. The ban comes into force from J⛦anuary 1 and all defaulting establishments will be shut down straight away, without any warning, officials have said.
However, the use of low-sulphur coal in thermal♎ power plants is allowed.
The CAQM has also directed Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana to register only CNG and electric autos from January 1 and complete the phasing out of the diesel ones in the National Capital Region (NCR) by the end of 2026. The objective is to ensure only CNG and e-autos ply in the NCR from January 1, 2027.
