Delhi's pollution driven largely by PM10: Environment Minister
What's the story
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has attributed the city's high pollution levels to PM10 emissions. These are primarily from construction activities, dusty roads, and traffic congestion. The minister said that 62 hotspots have been identified where traffic or dust are major contributors to pollution. He added that the city's sanitation systems and road conditions need improvement to tackle these issues.
Seasonal impact
Delhi's pollution worsens with winter season
Sirsa also noted that the onset of winter is making things worse as dust settles and turns into smog. "The battle for a clean Delhi is against 10 major polluting factors," he was quoted as saying by PTI. Stubble burning also adds to the problem, but its impact will decrease with the sowing season, he added.
Industrial impact
Delhi's pollution linked to industrial emissions
Sirsa also highlighted that Delhi's pollution is still being affected by emissions from industrial units shifted to neighboring areas. He said, "The border areas are still being affected, and the Delhi government is working on this as well." This comes after the city's average Air Quality Index (AQI) entered the "severe" category on November 11. The AQI had improved slightly after three days in the 'severe' zone, falling to the 'very poor' category on Friday.