Firstpost: Delhi Can't Live With Pollution Forever
Delhi Can't Live with Pollution forever; Government must Facilitate Carpooling and Electric Vehicles, Strengthen Public Transport
Firstpost, Shayak Sengupta and Sharang Shah, 3 November 2020
(Image courtesy of Firstpost)
COVID-19 and the consequent lockdowns have wreaked havoc on the health of individuals and economies across the world. As governments and people reeled with the shock, one silver lining from the lockdown emerged – the slowdown in human activity and consumption has been a boon for the environment.
Blue skies were seen across major cities in India, which plays host to six of the 10 most polluted cities in the world. Articles studying satellite data during the period of lockdown show a 15 per cent reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration levels across India from a year ago, and a similar drop in levels of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). Likewise, PM2.5 reduced by at least 25 per cent in many cities across the country during lockdown periods. NO2 and SO2 from vehicular traffic and power generation are precursor pollutants that lead to the production of PM2.5 in the air.
