Though pollution levels spike, stubble burning takes place for only a few days of the year.
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A runner wearing a face mask for protection from air
pollution takes part in Delhi Half Marathon near India Gate. (Photo: Reuters)
HIGHLIGHTS
- While vehicles are the cause of 28 per cent of PM2.5 levels, stubble burning 4 per cent
- However, when stubble is burnt, it is the cause of 30 per cent of Delhi's pollution
- According to study, Delhi needs to find solutions to deal with pollution of its own
Pollution, in the capital and its surrounding areas, is the
most severe during winter months. Starting end-October, beginning-November smog
covers the entire region. A study, conducted by The Energy and Resources
Institute (Teri), throws some light on the reasons behind pollution in Delhi.
According to Teri's Sumit Sharma, who works on environment
and pollution issues, 36 per cent of the pollution has its source in Delhi
itself, 34 per cent in National Capital Region while 30 per cent comes from
across international borders.
Assessing PM2.5 levels
Teri's study shows that vehicle pollution is the cause of 28
per cent of PM2.5 emissions. Vehicular pollution can be broken up into: trucks
and tractors generate 9 per cent, 7 per cent from two-wheelers, 5 per cent from
three-wheelers, 3 per cent each from cars and buses, and 1 per cent from light
commercial vehicles.
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Supreme Court has asked the Delhi transport department to
upload a list of vehicles that have crossed 10 and 15 years of life so that
they can be impounded. (Photo: Reuters)
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The report says that implementing the BSVI norms by 2020
would be a big step in dealing with pollution. As would be the phasing out of
old cars.
The Teri report says dust pollution contributes close to 18
per cent of PM2.5 levels. Dust rising from roads contribute 3 per cent,
construction dust 1 per cent and 13 per cent are other reasons.
Industries contribute 30 per cent to PM2.5 levels -- power
plants generate 6 per cent, brick kilns 8 per cent, stone crushers 2 per cent
and 14 per cent from small industries.
While, Delhi's residential areas contribute 10 per cent to
the pollution.
Stubble burning by farmers in Haryana, Punjab and western
Uttar Pradesh, which has been hogged all the limelight in the debate on
pollution, contributes only 4 per cent top pollution levels during the winter
season.
According to Teri's Sumit Sharma, stubble burning is
episodic. It only takes place for 15-20 days. However, pollution levels spike
during stubble burning.
During the days when agricultural stubble is burnt, it is
the cause of 30 per cent of Delhi's pollution.
Assessing PM10 levels
When it comes to PM10 levels industries are the biggest
culprits. Twenty-seven per cent of the pollution comes from industries, 25 per
cent is related to dust, vehicular pollution 24 per cent, households contribute
9 per cent and stubble burning 4 per cent.
Apart from Delhi, Teri also carried out research on the
cause of pollution in cities neighbouring Delhi.
The report says that 40 per cent of the pollution in Noida
is because of Delhi, industries are the biggest polluter in Ghaziabad,
vehicular pollution is the main cause in Gurgaon while stubble burning is the
primary source of pollution in Panipat.
Teri conducted the study during the winter months in 2016
and the report was released in August this year. The report suggests that
rather than external problems, Delhi needs to find solutions to deal with
pollution of its own.
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