Local pollution mapped at hot spots

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the state environment department have jointly identified 103 critical sources of local pollution across 13 hot spots in the city, fixing which, officials said, will be a priority this winter

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

Some of the sources include traffic congestion, unpaved roads, dumping or open burning of waste all of which can be "fixed quickly", they said, adding that pollution sources such as construction sites and industrial areas will need long-term measures to be tackled. These pollution sources fall within a 5km radius of the continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) in the area.

The authoritie have shared a list of the sources with land-owning agencies or private agencies working in the area and a nodal officer has been appointed from each agency to monitor the pollution sources, officials added.

To be sure, at least 19 of 103 sources are traffic congestion points within the 13 hot spots.

HT on Thursday reported how there has been a significant increase in traffic congestion across the city, according to a survey conducted by the Delhi Traffic Police.