Delhi Air Pollution:  The National Green Tribunal has issued a notice to the Central Pollution Control Board, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, as well as the state pollution control boards of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan, requesting reports on the pollutants released by thermal power plants in the National Capital Region owing to growing air pollution levels.

A media report based on a study that revealed the NCR's coal-fired thermal power plants emit an astounding 281 kilotonnes of sulphur dioxide (SO2) per year prompted the tribunal to take suo motu cognisance of the matter.

According to recent research conducted by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), thermal power stations in the area release 16 times as much air pollution as stubble burning. This is something that NGT noted.

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According to the study, if 12 coal-based thermal power plants located within 300 kilometres of Delhi fully implement the flue gas desulphurisation system (FGD), annual SO₂ emissions could be reduced by an estimated 67 percent, from 281 kilotonnes to roughly 93 kilotonnes, which would have a substantial positive impact on public health and air quality.

Delhi's Air Quality Turns 'Moderate'

Delhi inhaled clean air for the first time in 50 days on Wednesday, with air quality classified as 'moderate', providing much-needed relief from the city's severe pollution levels. The city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 178 at 4 PM, an improvement from 268 on Tuesday.

Previously, the AQI was reported in the 'moderate' category on October 15, with a rating of 198. According to Central Pollution Control Board data, the AQI deteriorated the next day and fell into the 'poor' category.

Strong surface winds were predicted for the city on Wednesday, according to an India Meteorological Department official, who talked about the improved air quality. Winds are predicted to continue until December 7, at which point a fresh western disturbance is anticipated, resulting in moderate fog beginning on December 8.