‘Delhi sees 45 per cent drop in PM10, PM2.5 levels since 2014’

Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, announced a “significant relief” for the city’s residents, stating that PM10 and PM2.5 levels have decreased by an average of 45 percent over the past nine years.

Addressing reporters after a meeting with the environment department officials, Rai disclosed that preparations for a ‘winter action plan’ to combat potential increases in air pollution levels have commenced. The levels of particulate matter (PM) 10 and PM2.5 traditionally begin to rise from the final week of October and peak in November as temperatures drop, necessitating measures to address deteriorating air quality, he added.

Rai expressed, “There is encouraging news for the people of Delhi. PM10 and PM2.5, two crucial indicators of air quality that determine Delhi’s pollution levels, have exhibited a consistent decline since 2014, owing to the efforts of the citizens and the government.”

Despite this progress, the Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, remains committed to further reducing these levels, he emphasized.

Citing historical data, Rai highlighted that from 2014 to August 2023, the PM10 level has decreased by 42 percent, with readings of 324 in 2014, 295 in 2015, 303 in 2016, 277 in 2017, 277 in 2018, 230 in 2019, 187 in 2020, 221 in 2021, 223 in 2022, and 188 until August 2023.

Similarly, the PM2.5 level has seen a 46 percent reduction, with values of 149 in 2014, 133 in 2015, 137 in 2016, 130 in 2017, 128 in 2018, 112 in 2019, 101 in 2020, 113 in 2021, 103 in 2022, and 81 until August 2023.

Minister Rai mentioned that on September 12, a meeting with experts from 24 organizations engaged in pollution mitigation will be held to gather their insights for the winter action plan. Additionally, on September 14, a meeting involving 28 departments and agencies will take place to solicit their input on strategies to combat high levels of winter air pollution.

(With PTI inputs)