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'First such study': Delhi govt, IIT Kanpur to collaborate to find out real time air pollution data

On Friday, the Delhi government and IIT Kanpur inked a pact for the research. The study project is titled "Real-Time Source Apportionment and Forecasting for Advance Air Pollution Management in Delhi.

Delhi govt IIT Kanpur to collaborate to find out real time air pollution data gcw
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New Delhi, First Published Oct 23, 2021, 1:09 PM IST

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee and IIT-Kanpur will conduct 23-month research to locate numerous causes of air pollution in real-time in Delhi to develop solutions to the underlying cause of the problem. On Friday, the Delhi government and IIT Kanpur inked a pact for the research. The study project is titled "Real-Time Source Apportionment and Forecasting for Advance Air Pollution Management in Delhi. Gopal Rai, Delhi Environment Minister, noted that it is the first such study conducted in the country.

During the study, air quality will be interpreted weekly, monthly, and seasonal, and a new understanding of PAHs, molecular markers, and secondary organic and inorganic aerosols. There will be cutting-edge supersites capable of monitoring NOx, SO2, Ozone, BTX, elemental carbon, organic carbon, and other organic chemicals. Rai stated that a campaign would be held on October 28 and 29 to educate the people of Delhi about ways to decrease pollution in the capital.

Also Read | Delhi, neighbouring states should develop common plan to tackle air pollution in winters: Gopal Rai

The Environment Minister further stated that the campaign would be held in 33 zones, with SDMs visiting each zone and creating awareness on three aspects of pollution in the capital: the 10-point Winter Action Plan and the Green Delhi application. "Diwali is celebrated by lighting diyas (earthen pots) rather than crackers," the minister stated of the pollution created by bursting firecrackers. "We have learned that firecrackers are being sold and purchased in Delhi notwithstanding the prohibition.  All SDMs have been directed to keep an eye out for such activities and to take action against anyone who engage in them," he said.

Also Read | Air pollution may lower life expectancy of 40% Indians by 9 years: Study

Meanwhile, according to a report issued by a US research organisation, air pollution is projected to lower the life expectancy of about 40% of Indians by more than nine years. According to research published by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), more than 480 million people live across broad swaths of central, eastern, and northern India, including New Delhi. According to the EPIC study, "India's high levels of air pollution have extended geographically over time."

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