Clean Air Campaign shows qualitative impact on Air Quality in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The Environment Ministry said Clean Air campaign, launched on February 10, had shown a qualitative impact on air quality in Delhi.

Seventy teams comprising officers of the Environment Ministry, Government of NCT Delhi, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Municipal Corporations started inspecting area on February 10.

Teams have reported 4, 347 cases of violation and issued Challans in 1, 892 cases, amounting to Rs 54 crore so far.

According to data collated by CPCB shows that the air quality which was in very Poor category at the beginning of the Campaign, remained at ‘Moderate’ level from February 12-15 and at ‘Poor’ level on February 16, 17 & 18.

System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) projected that the Clean Air Campaign had resulted in “significant reduction in the level of air pollution vis-à-vis the business as usual scenario. “

The Ministry says,” the lessons learnt from the Campaign will be used to further strengthen the activities related to mitigation of pollution, besides addressing knowledge gaps on the basis of wide-ranging consultations held during this period with all the stakeholders.  The Clean Air Campaign will continue till February 23.”