New Delhi: The air quality during the first four months period of 2023 has recorded the second cleanest months in the last eight years, barring the Covid-19 lockdown year 2020, as per the data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The data showed the national capital recorded 52 days in these four months in which the Air Quality Index remained (Good to Moderate), while the figure was just eight in 2016.
The number of days was recorded in the same period 68 days in 2020, 29 days in 2017, 32 days in 2018, 44 days in 2019, 31 days in 2021, and 27 in 2022.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies an AQI between 0-50 as “good”, between 51 and 100 as “satisfactory”, between 101 and 200 as “moderate”, between 201 and 300 as “poor”, between 301 and 400 as “very poor” and over 400 as “severe”.
During this period, Delhi has also experienced the least number of days with ‘Poor to Severe’ Air Quality in 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of the last 07 years since 2016 (except 2020 – the year of Covid lockdown).
As per the data, the number of ‘Poor to Severe’ Air Quality Days for the first four months’ period (i.e. January to April) has come down by 37.03% i.e. from 108 in the year 2016 to 68 in the current year 2023.
In terms of daily average PM2.5 concentration levels in Delhi, the data showed that 2023 has been the year with the lowest levels of daily average PM2.5 concentration, as compared to the corresponding period for last 07 years.
For the year 2016, the average PM 2.5 level was recorded at 158 µg/m3, while in 2023, the PM 2.5 level stood at 109. Last year the PM 2.5 for the first four months ( January to April) was recorded at 118 µg/m3.
Moreover, 2023 has also been the year with the lowest levels of daily average PM10 concentration in Delhi, as compared to the corresponding period for the last 07 years.
In 2016, the average PM10 was at 316 µg/m3, while in 2023, it recorded 221 µg/m3. A comparative chart depicting the PM10 and PM2.5 running average (µg/m3) for the first four months’ period (January – April) during the 08 years (2016-2023) is given below:
The improvement in the air quality in the national capital was noted because of that meteorological factors.
February was warmer than usual, with an average monthly maximum temperature of 27.7°C, making it Delhi’s warmest February since 2006 (29.7°C), and the month was also characterized by strong winds.
Both high temperatures and strong winds allow pollutants to disperse more freely.
According to data, Delhi has also reported its lowest Average AQI in 2023 as compared to the corresponding period for last 07 years i.e. from 2016 (barring 2020 – the year of the Covid lockdown).
“Persistent field-level efforts and targeted policy initiatives in the short/ medium/ long term are expected to result in gradual but marked improvement in the air quality,” said the CPCB.
