Delhi’s air is the worst among various cities in the National Capital Region and places located in Rajasthan.
A Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report on analysis of ambient air quality, submitted before the National Green Tribunal on Wednesday, revealed that Delhiites are breathing highly polluted air, much worse than places like Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon in Haryana.
The CPCB submitted data on analysis of ambient air quality in Delhi, NCR and other areas over a period of 68 days from December 5 to February 10. Delhi was found topping the list in terms of highest levels of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
Benzene, which is released from diesel, was also found to be the highest here. Besides, ozone, formed by interaction of sunlight with hydrocarbons emitted by automobiles, is also the highest in Delhi compared to Faridabad, Gurgaon and Rohtak.
Within Delhi, Punjabi Bagh has highest concentration of ammonia, followed by Mandir Marg, Civil Lines and IGI Airport. While the NGT heard the matter concerning vehicular pollution, a trail of cars could be seen parked outside Faridkot House which houses the Tribunal and traffic gets affected despite an NGT ban on roadside parking.
Meanwhile, the DTC told the NGT that all its buses are up to the mark. However, the NGT did not accept the argument. “Give us one bus that has been inspected pursuant to our order. Who checks a bus? In the DTC, if the bumper of a bus is loose, it remains loose for months together.”
The Tribunal also asked the MCD and the Public Works Department to draw coloured line to delineate parking space in Lajpat Nagar. The Traffic Police, represented by advocate D. Rajeshwar Rao, submitted before the Tribunal that the police have already announced Lajpat Nagar and Karol Bagh as ‘No Parking Zone’. It said ‘No Parking’ sign boards and banners have been fixed at visible points.
Meanwhile, an interim direction by the Tribunal permitted “one-time event of the vintage car I.T.C. rally to be held March 1.
