Jan 05, 2024: In a concerning trend, Delhi witnessed a setback in its air quality, with annual PM2.5 levels for 2023 surpassing those recorded in 2022, marking a reversal in the city’s progress in reducing particulate pollution since 2015. According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the annual concentration of PM2.5 in 2023 was reported at 101 micrograms per cubic meter, reflecting a 2% increase compared to 2022 levels. This exceeded the national standard of 40µg/m³.
The CSE’s analysis revealed a decline in the number of “good” air quality days from 41 in 2022 to 24 in 2023. Simultaneously, the days with “very poor” or worse air quality surged to 107. Adverse meteorological conditions played a significant role in exacerbating pollution levels, emphasizing the urgency of further emissions reductions.
Despite the increase, the PM2.5 levels in 2023 were not as high as in previous years. The CSE pointed out that the average of the 2018-22 winter seasons was higher than that recorded in the winter of 2023. The report highlighted that Delhi met the national standard for PM2.5 concentration on 151 days. However, the decline in the number of “good” air quality days raised concerns about the overall air quality in the city.
Avikal Somvanshi, senior program manager at CSE, explained the unexpected cleanliness during the summer and monsoon months in 2023. However, the winter levels turned out to be one of the worst due to slow surface wind speed, hindering the dispersal of pollution. The winter months experienced higher levels due to the trapping of local pollution from all sides.
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at CSE, emphasized the need to reduce background emissions further, stating that adverse meteorological conditions underscored the necessity for more aggressive emission reduction to meet air quality standards and prevent winter spikes. Despite past achievements in bending the long-term pollution curve downward, the analysis revealed that deeper cuts in emissions are essential for sustained progress.
The findings serve as a lasting reminder for Delhi to intensify efforts in curbing emissions, particularly during winter, to ensure cleaner and healthier air for its residents.
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