New Delhi : An air quality assessment conducted by the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) during the last 11 days of the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme in the Delhi-NCR found on Sunday (April 24th) that the 24-hourly pollutant concentrations had increased considerably due to decrease in wind speeds and higher contributions from backgrounds.
The TERI study said that PM2.5 (particles with diameter less than 2.5 micro-meter) concentrations had violated the limits at most stations in the NCR. It said that the PM2.5 concentrations are 1.3-2.7 times above the prescribed standards at various locations in the NCR.
TERI also said that the PM10 levels, which consist of particles from both natural and anthropogenic sources, showed higher violation of 1.6-3.2 times of the standard.
The downwind towns in NCR like Noida Ghaziabad, and Gurgaon showed PM2.5 concentrations of 103, 124, 88 ?g/m³ , respectively, which are also impacted by Delhi’s emissions transported through the winds towards these towns in this season.
The odd-even rule was implemented first in January this year (January 1-15) and resumeed in April (April 15 to 30)to combat the pollutant levels and improve traffic flows in Delhi.
TERI analysed the effects during the last phase and concluded that congestion levels were reduced, but limited reductions were observed in air pollutant concentrations.
TERI said it will release regular updates with analysis of air quality in Delhi and nearby towns, using its own monitoring devices in five out of nine locations across Delhi/NCR. (ANI)