Question

What initiatives were taken for reducing vehicular air pollution in Delhi? Has air quality improved in Delhi?

Answer 1

The government has taken the following steps:

1. Following the order of the Supreme Court of India, CNG-powered vehicles were introduced at the end of 2006 because CNG is a clean fuel that produces very few unburnt particles.
2. The government initiated the systematic phasing out of old vehicles and enforced the mandatory use of unleaded petrol to reduce toxic lead emissions in the city.
3. Low-sulphur petrol and diesel were introduced along with the compulsory use of catalytic converters to neutralize harmful exhaust gases before they are released.
4. Stringent pollution-level norms were applied through the implementation of Bharat Stage I standards, which are equivalent to Euro II norms for all major Indian cities.

While these initiatives led to a substantial fall in the levels of CO₂ and SO₂, the air quality remains a concern because suspended particulate matter and respiratory suspended particulate matter still persist.