Delhi Pollution: Impact of CNG Vehicles on Pollution

Delhi Pollution: Impact of CNG Vehicles on Pollution

Decline in pollution levels due to use of CNG vehicles in Delhi

Impact of CNG Vehicles on Pollution

Several measures have been taken for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution in Delhi which include the use of CNG vehicles.

These measures include leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards from 1st April, 2018 in NCT of Delhi;

• closure of Badarpur thermal power plant from 15th October, 2018;
• operationalisation of Eastern Peripheral Expressway & Western Peripheral Expressway to divert non-destined traffic from Delhi in 2018;
• notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules;
• banning of burning of biomass/garbage; promotion of public transport network;
• streamlining the issuance of Pollution Under Control Certificate;
• installation of on-line continuous (24×7) monitoring devices by major industries; collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles in Delhi and NCR etc.

As a result of various measures, Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) data indicated general improvement in air quality of Delhi in 2018.

The number of ‘Good’, ‘Satisfactory’, and ‘Moderate’ days has increased to 159 in 2018, as compared to 152 in 2017 and 106 in 2016, and the number of ‘Poor’, ‘Very Poor’ and ‘Severe’ days has reduced to 206, compared to 213 in 2017 and 246 in 2016. In Delhi, reduction in PM2.5 levels in 2018 is 7.3% over 2017 and 14.8% over 2016.

In Delhi, reduction in PM10 levels in 2018 is 8.6% over 2017 and 16.5% over 2016.