The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is preparing a new emission inventory and source apportionment study for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This initiative, which sets 2026 as its base year, aims to provide more accurate data for air quality forecasting and to better manage pollution in the region.
Organizations Involved in the New Study
This comprehensive study is being led by a group of four prominent institutions. These include the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in Pune, IIT Delhi, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and IITM Pune. Their combined expertise will be crucial in developing a robust framework for assessing emission sources across Delhi and NCR.
Purpose of the Emission Inventory and Source Apportionment
The primary goal of this new emission list and source apportionment study is to enhance the accuracy of air quality predictions. Officials have stated that the new inventory will incorporate recent activity data and ongoing policy measures to ensure a more precise assessment of emissions. This will help integrate the data with the air quality early warning system (EWS) and decision support system (DSS) to strengthen source apportionment and provide real-time assessment of pollution sources.
Major Pollutant Contributions in Delhi-NCR
The study highlights the varying contributions of different pollutants across seasons. Understanding these differences is key to implementing targeted pollution control measures.
| Pollutant Source (Winter) | Share | Pollutant Source (Summer) | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaseous Emissions | 27% | Dust | 27% |
| Secondary Particulate Matter | 23% | Transport | 19% |
| Transport | 20% | Secondary Particulate Matter | 17% |
| Biomass | 15% | Industry | 14% |
| Dust | 9% | Biomass | 12% |
| Industry | 9% | Other Sources | 11% |
| Other Sources | 6% |
Public Input and Future Steps
The CAQM has invited public feedback and suggestions on this matter until February 10. This public involvement is crucial to ensure that all perspectives are considered in the finalization of the emission inventory. This move follows a previous report by Jagran on January 3, which highlighted the issue of outdated emission lists and the ongoing challenge of pollution sources.
