Delhi Government To Install Air Quality Monitoring Stations In Six New Areas By August

Delhi's air quality monitoring infrastructure is set to expand with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) leading the installation of six new Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS).

The move is part of the ongoing efforts to develop a more granular understanding of pollution patterns across different urban environments, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Sirsa said that the government aims to have these stations operational by August, before winter sets in, when the city is hit by severe air pollution.

“It is a crucial step for holistic data on pollution in all areas,” he stated, emphasising the need to shift focus beyond known pollution corridors.

“It is a myth that so-called green areas are not polluted. Vehicular pollution is a cause of concern throughout the city. So, it is necessary that we get pollution data for such areas too, not just the usual hotspots,” Sirsa added.

The new stations will be set up at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the ISRO Earth Station near Malcha Mahal, Delhi Cantonment, the Commonwealth Sports Complex, and the West Campus of Netaji Subhash University of Technology.

Delhi currently has 40 CAAQMS and 7 manual stations.