EPCA seeks Delhi govt report on pollution control initiatives

The agency is also likely to make a detailed report on emission standards for thermal power plants, with the help of the central government

NEW DELHI: The Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) has sought a report from the Delhi government regarding steps taken to control vehicular pollution.

The agency is also likely to make a detailed report on emission standards for thermal power plants, with the help of the central government.

In last few days, Delhi has already witnessed very poor air quality. With the air quality index (AQI) reading recorded at 306, the Capital’s air quality was recorded ‘very poor’ by Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) for the second consecutive day on Friday. AQI on Thursday was 312.

After months of ‘moderate’ to ‘poor’ days, experts said the change in air quality could be because of a shift in wind directions, bringing pollutants from the north due to stubble burning instances reported in both Punjab and Haryana.

Experts said that chances of rain, however, will improve the AQI over the next two days.

EPCA, the Supreme Courtappointed body, has reportedly found that the Delhi government has not done much about the vehicular pollution hence sought a report.

Recently, a new research study published in the journal Current Science indicated that the Odd-even vehicle rationing scheme did not result in a reduction of vehicular emissions, and surprisingly, even led to overall increase in emissions.

It also found that there was a significant increase in the median concentration of gases that were measured from air samples as chemical tracers for vehicular emissions.

The study was undertaken by researchers from the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER), Mohali.

Recently, a Bench comprising justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta of the Supreme Court sought the response of EPCA on a separate plea filed by NTPC, seeking its nod to use a low sulphur content fuel.

During the brief hearing, Additional Solicitor General ANS Nadkarni, appearing for the Union Environment Ministry, placed before the bench the comments received from the Ministry of Power on the EPCA report on emission standards for thermal power plants.