Pollution source study to resume

The Delhi government is planning to restart its real-time source apportionment study, albeit with a focus on PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less) instead of PM2.5, as done earlier, two years after the IIT Kanpur's study was halted due to unsatisfactory results, officials aware of the matter said on Friday.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

Officials said that with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune already calculating the estimated contribution of sources to Delhi's PM2.5 load, through its Decision Support System (DSS), the government wants to focus on PM10 for multipronged action against both types of particulate matter.

"We have analysed Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) app data and on multiple days this winter, PM10 was the lead pollutant. While we know dust contributes to high PM10 levels, there is a need to assess where this dust is coming from and what other sources are causing high PM10 levels in Delhi," a government official aware of the matter said.

A meeting on the subject is scheduled at the Delhi Secretariat for 3pm on January 1, the official said.