Delhi Achieves 17% Reduction in PM10 Levels, NCR Still Faces Severe Air Quality Issues

Original: NCAP: Delhi cuts PM10 by 17% in 7 years, but NCR still worst

Hindustan Times•Apr 8, 20263 min

In a Nutshell

Delhi has successfully reduced PM10 levels by 17% since 2017-18, but the National Capital Region (NCR) remains the most polluted in India, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Ghaziabad recorded the highest PM10 levels at 215 μg/m3, significantly above national standards.

Key Points

01Delhi's PM10 levels decreased from 241 μg/m3 to 201 μg/m3 over seven years.
02Ghaziabad recorded the highest annual PM10 level at 215 μg/m3, over three times the national limit.
03Only 27 cities in India achieved a PM10 reduction of over 40%.
0489 out of 96 cities with adequate data still exceed national PM10 standards.
05Regional cooperation is essential to tackle air pollution in NCR effectively.

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Full Summary

According to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Delhi has achieved a 17% reduction in PM10 levels since the baseline year of 2017-18, decreasing from 241 μg/m3 to 201 μg/m3 by 2025-26. However, the National Capital Region (NCR) continues to struggle with severe air quality issues, ranking as the worst in India. Ghaziabad recorded the highest PM10 level at 215 μg/m3, followed closely by Delhi and Noida at 201 μg/m3 and 195 μg/m3, respectively. Despite some improvements, 89 of 96 cities with sufficient data still exceed the national PM10 standard of 60 μg/m3. The analysis indicates that while 60 cities saw a decrease in PM10 levels compared to the previous year, 30 cities experienced increases, and three remained unchanged. Only 27 cities achieved a reduction of over 40%, with Dehradun leading at a 75% reduction. Experts emphasize that addressing Delhi's air pollution requires a regional approach due to shared emission sources, including vehicular pollution and construction dust. They also highlight the need for comprehensive strategies targeting both particulate and gaseous pollutants.

Key Figures

17%

Reduction in PM10 levels in Delhi since 2017-18

215 μg/m3

Highest PM10 level recorded in Ghaziabad

60 μg/m3

National permissible limit for PM10

27

Cities achieving over 40% PM10 reduction

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Why It Matters

The continued poor air quality in NCR affects residents' health, leading to increased respiratory illnesses and necessitating immediate action from local authorities.

Who is affected

Residents of Delhi and surrounding NCR cities, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions.

What to know

Local governments should implement stricter regulations on emissions and invest in cleaner technologies to improve air quality.

FAQ

PM10 refers to tiny airborne particles, such as dust, soot, and smoke, that can be inhaled into the respiratory system.

The air quality remains poor due to ongoing emissions from vehicles, construction, and industrial activities, necessitating a regional approach to pollution control.

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