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Delhi Air Crisis: Pollution Peak Arrives Late, Relief Delayed
27 Jan
Summary
- Delhi's air pollution peak delayed by 10 days this year.
- Vehicular emissions are the dominant primary source of PM2.5.
- Airshed-based approach recommended for effective mitigation planning.
Delhi's air quality, typically improving by mid-January, experienced a significant delay this year, with pollution peaks shifting later into the season. This extended pollution episode is attributed to factors such as climate change, ENSO-neutral conditions, and a wet monsoon. While scientific debate continues on the precise causes, residents faced another severe air quality event, for which immediate solutions proved inadequate.
The Supreme Court has called for precise identification of emission sources before mitigation measures are implemented. Delhi's air quality body confirmed that vehicular emissions are the primary source of PM2.5, a finding consistent with data from 2010 and 2018. For effective policy responses, a clear distinction must be maintained between emission sources and atmospheric processes like secondary particle formation.
An airshed-based approach, considering both the Delhi airshed region and its satellite airshed, is advocated for scientific assessment and near-term mitigation. Accelerating policy actions such as the transition to electric mobility and addressing biofuel use and industrial emissions in surrounding areas are crucial. The article emphasizes that science-backed actions on known issues are urgently needed.
