Delhi Govt To Install Six New Air Quality Monitoring Stations Over Next Three Months To Combat Pollution

As part of a broader strategy to tackle the expected winter pollution peak, the Delhi government will install six new air quality monitoring stations across the national capital over the next three months, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.

In an interview with PTI on Wednesday, Sirsa said, “This winter, we will ensure that Delhi sees more clean air days, and we are already working to minimize pollution. We will not wait until winter to take action. Our work to purify Delhi has already started, and as part of this, we will also add new ambient air quality monitoring stations.” “Delhi currently has 40 air quality monitoring stations, and six more will be added in the next three months, bringing the total to 46,” Sirsa said.

The minister did not specify the locations where the new stations will be installed but mentioned that the work is likely to be completed within three months. He added that these stations will help gather more detailed data on air quality.

Delhi’s existing 40 air quality monitoring stations include locations such as Alipur, Anand Vihar, Aya Nagar, Bawana, Burari, Chandni Chowk, DTU, Dwarka, IGI Airport, IHBAS, ITO, Jahangirpuri, Lodhi Road, Najafgarh, Narela, and 25 other sites. These stations are spread across the city to calculate the capital’s average Air Quality Index (AQI).

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However, they are not evenly distributed, leaving many densely populated areas unmonitored. Several stations are located in less inhabited areas, such as IHBAS, Shri Aurobindo Marg, Karni Singh Shooting Range within the Asola Bhatti Forest Range, and Siri Fort near the Hauz Khas forest.

During the peak pollution season from November to January, when the capital often turns into a gas chamber, AQI levels frequently hit hazardous levels.

Last year, AQI crossed the 450 mark, breaching the maximum limit on the scale. On December 19, Delhi’s air quality fell into the “severe plus” category, with a 24-hour average AQI of 451 recorded at 4 pm, according to CPCB data.