
To meet air quality standards, Delhi needs a 65 per cent cut in pollution levels – says new CSE analysis
CPCB air quality data submitted to Parliament show that three-year average annual PM2.5 level in 2016-2018 is 25 per cent lower than the three-year average level in 2012-2014.
Between 2011 and 2018-19, days with severe plus PM2.5 levels have lessened after 2015; pattern, duration and frequency of smog episodes are changing, and more days with lower air pollution levels are recorded during 2016 to 2018-19.
Overall peak levels reducing over time, while number of days meeting the standard is increasing during summer and monsoon months.
Winter smog episodes getting fewer but longer – a change from the earlier trend in which the episodes were frequent and random. The onset of winter pollution is also getting delayed.
Only 3 per cent of cities have pollution levels below the stan...