Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

The objective of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of Odd-Even scheme for vehicles, implemented by the Government of Delhi for 15 days, i.e., 1 to 15 January 2016 as a measure to curb increasing pollution of the city. For the study, air quality data of concentration of criteria pollutants at various locations namely RK Puram, ITO, Dwarka, Mandir Marg, Punjabi Bagh and Annand Vihar in Delhi was collected from CPCB website and meteorological data from IMD. The Daily Air Quality Index (AQI) of air pollutants as PM10, PM2.5, SO2 , NO2 , O3 and NH3 has been estimated at the selected locations. It was found that PM10 & PM2.5 are the major contributors of air pollutants in Delhi. The results of Air Quality Index for almost all locations revealed that the pollution levels were high during the implementation period of odd-even scheme as compared to scenario before and after 1-15 Jan 2016. The reason for high pollution levels, during those 15 days was analyzed to be the meteorological conditions like ‘low daily temperatures’ and ‘low wind speeds’. This article covers the actual scenario of pollution levels recorded by CPCB. Very few studies have been done on this subject and much data is not available in published articles for reference. Detailed study and analysis of AQI before, during and after the odd-even period has been carried out considering the meteorological conditions as well. The odd-even scheme is beneficial attempt to curb the air pollution, but was not as successful as was expected during the selected period due to unfavorable meteorological conditions. The scheme can be implemented in future to reduce increasing pollution levels in the city.

Keywords: Air Quality, Air Quality Index, Delhi, Meteorology, Odd-Even Scheme