Haze Over Delhi

Why in news?

How has pollution been in Delhi?

Delhi witnessed high pollution levels in the recent winter.
Stubble burning in the neighbourhood regions was cited as the main reason.
Smoke from brick kilns and vehicular emissions added to the air pollution.
The weather patterns in winter season contributed for the sustenance of the pollution.
However, the current haze, in summer, cannot be attributed to these.

What are the reasons?

Delhi now witnesses high levels of dust, causing haze, reducing visibility.
It also resulted in particulate matter (PM) levels shooting to over 8 times the normal range.
Dust storms originating from Rajasthan and wind direction are said to be the cause.
But besides this, local sources of pollution are also said to be the reasons.

How to address this?

Emergency measures will have to be soon initiated and all construction activity stopped.
Delhi government has been directed to carry out water sprinkling to bring down the PM levels.
Modelling and measurements to evaluate the exact sources of the dust particles are essential to deal with it.
Cities like Delhi require a green belt around it to reduce pollution levels.
But greening open spaces or reforestation of land largely remain as concepts.
Delhi needs long term planning and systematic research on dealing with the perpetual problem of pollution.

Source: BusinessLine