Reviving the Pollution Study
DPCC Plans to take important steps to better understand air pollution in Delhi. As part of this initiative, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee is reviving its special research project, called a “super-site.” This project will study the sources of pollution in real-time. For this, they are teaming up with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) based in Pune.
This decision comes about nine months after DPCC ended their previous partnership with IIT Kanpur. Officials explained that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) helped guide this change. They submitted a pilot study on the super-site to the Supreme Court and are waiting for further instructions.
DPCC’s Recent Board Meeting
The DPCC board met on July 18. During this meeting, they also discussed another important topic: doing checks on five-star hotels in Delhi. They want to understand how much water these hotels are using and if they reuse treated water.
Background of the Super-Site
The super-site was set up near Rouse Avenue in 2021. Initially, IIT-Kanpur managed it under an agreement with the Delhi government until November 2023. After the collaboration ended, the DPCC chose not to renew the partnership. They were not happy with IIT-Kanpur’s methods.
Since the partnership ended, the equipment at the super-site has been sitting unused. This includes high-quality devices like air analyzers and forecasting models. DPCC had been looking for a new partner to continue the studies.
The Pollution Crisis in Delhi
Delhi has faced major challenges in finding the real causes of air pollution for a long time. Earlier studies from IIT Kanpur in 2016 and The Energy and Resources Institute in 2018 are outdated. At the same time, the Decision Support System (DSS) used by IITM also relies on old data. This has made it hard for Delhi to fight pollution effectively.
Although various organizations have tried to measure pollution levels, most strategies have been reactive. They work after problems arise instead of using real-time data to prevent them.
New Plans and Directions
According to the DPCC’s board meeting notes from July 31, the board had previously directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to develop a better method of operation. They want this done with help from national experts. The board expressed a desire to keep the environment department updated on progress.
It was also decided that operating the super-site and mobile laboratory should be a priority. This will be done as quickly as possible and in consultation with the involved parties.
IITM’s Role
IITM plays a vital part in predicting pollution levels in Delhi. They run the DSS, which helps estimate sources of pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) almost in real-time. They also manage the Early Warning System (EWS), which forecasts the upcoming air quality index (AQI) levels.
Smog Tower Update
The meeting also touched on the current status of the “smog tower” set up at Baba Kharak Singh Marg in 2020. This installation was part of a Supreme Court order. The tower operated during 2021 and 2022. However, it has been shut down since the winter of 2023.
The CPCB has also submitted a pilot study on the smog tower to the Supreme Court. They are now waiting for further direction from the court.
Auditing Water Use in Hotels
In addition to studying pollution, the DPCC plans to check how five-star hotels in Delhi use water. Records show that about 54% of these hotels’ total water demand is met through fresh groundwater sources.
In a meeting in February, 40 hotels were asked to send in their water use reports. This data revealed that these hotels release 760 kilolitres per day of treated water into sewer systems. The remaining water is used for tasks like flushing toilets and gardening.
To ensure the information is accurate, the DPCC needs to check on the ground. They will look to see if hotels have separate pipelines for treated and fresh water. This inspection is important for a clear understanding of water consumption and usage. The board plans to audit a few hotels in detail, but this study is not for regulatory purposes.
Closing Remarks
As Delhi works through its pollution issues, DPCC plans to explore all available resources in collaboration with its partners. By restarting this vital research, they hope to gain clearer insights into air pollution sources. With new studies, audits, and collaborations, there is hope for a cleaner, healthier Delhi in the future.
