AIR QUALITY INDEX

Aim: Prepare a report on monthly air quality index of a city-Delhi.

Air Quality Index (AQI):

An Air Quality Index (AQI) is a number used by government agencies to measure
the air pollution levels and communicate it to the population. As the AQI increases, it means
that a large percentage of the population will experience severe adverse health effects. The
measurement of the AQI requires an air monitor and an air pollutant concentration over a
specified averaging period. The results are grouped into ranges, and each range is assigned a
descriptor, a color code and a standardized public health advisory.

Air Quality Index in India

The pollution sources in India – and in most asian countries – are numerous and incompletely
understood. In Delhi, for example, it comes mostly from light and heavy duty vehicle traffic
emissions, road dust, solid fuel combustion for heating and cooking, biomass, waste burning,
thermal power plants, diesel generators, construction and small-scale local industries. That’s
why each country has to have their own AQI values.
The National Air Quality Index Standard (NAQI) in India was launched by The Minister for
Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, on 17 September 2014.
The initiative constitutes part of the Government’s mission to introduce the “culture of
cleanliness”, as the air pollution has been a huge concern in the country, especially in urban
areas. The National Air Monitoring Program (NAMP), that covers 240 cities in the country,
has been operated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and developed by
the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT), providing data in public domain, on real
time basis.
Six cities of India- New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, and Ahmedabad have a continuous
monitoring system that records data in real-time.

Instrument to Measure Air Quality

Few instruments that are used for measuring air quality are:
1. PCE-RCM 05
2. PCE-RCM 8
3. PCE-HFX 100

Calculation of AQI
The computation of the AQI is based on the average air pollutant concentration over a
specified period, which is obtained from an air monitor or model.
The AQI increases because of an increase in the emission of air pollutants; for example,
during heavy traffic or forest fire, a high value of AQI is observed. In addition, due to
anticyclone or temperature inversion, Stagnant air leads to high concentrations of pollutants
in the air. This results in chemical reactions between air pollutants and hazy conditions, thus
increasing the AQI.

Particulate Matter or PM: A substantial pollutant

PM 2.5 and PM 10 is the most common method of measuring air quality. It measures the
particles in micrograms per cubic metre. As a UPSC 2023 aspirant, you must know about
Particulate Matter or PM. It is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets present in the
air. While some particles such as dust, smoke and soot are visible through naked eyes,
numerous others are visible only through an electron microscope. Pollutants emitted by
power plants, industries, automobiles, etc., form complex chemical reactions in the air, thus
producing particulate matter.

Categories of Air Quality Index

The National Air Quality Index has set up six AQI categories: Good, Satisfactory,
Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. Each category specifies health impacts
associated with it as mentioned below given table:

Report:

Average air quality index in metropolitan cities of India, period between 2023 - 2024.

Delhi:
Frequently recorded AQI levels often exceeding 300 during winter months, particularly in
November and December.

Mumbai:
Generally better than Delhi, with average AQI often in the moderate to unhealthy range,
peaking around 150-200 during high pollution events.

Bengaluru:
Typically has better air quality, averaging around 100-150, but can spike during construction
and festival periods.

Kolkata:
Average AQI ranged from 150-200, with significant spikes during winter months due to
weather conditions and local pollution.

Chennai:
Generally better air quality, with averages around 100-150, but can vary based on industrial
activity.
Average air quality index of Delhi in last 10 years (from 2014 to 2024)

2014

Delhi's air quality was already concerning, with an average AQI of 163. The city experienced
high pollution levels, particularly in winter, driven by vehicle emissions and construction
dust.

2015

The average AQI rose to 180, reflecting worsening conditions. Seasonal factors like crop
burning in neighboring states contributed significantly to the pollution levels, especially in
October and November.

2016

With an average AQI of 168, 2016 saw persistent pollution issues. Major smog episodes
occurred, leading to public health concerns and calls for stricter environmental regulations.

2017

This year marked a notable increase in pollution, with an average AQI of 211. The situation
became critical in the winter months, prompting emergency measures from the government to
combat the smog.

2018

The average AQI further climbed to 226, highlighting severe air quality challenges. Public
awareness campaigns and policy interventions became more prevalent as health impacts
became more evident.

2019
While the average AQI decreased slightly to 200, pollution levels remained high, particularly
during the winter. The government faced criticism for insufficient action against sources of
pollution.

2020

The lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to an unexpected improvement in air
quality, with an average AQI of 154. Reduced vehicular traffic and industrial activity
contributed to cleaner air.

2021

As restrictions eased, the AQI rose again to 217. Seasonal pollution spikes returned,
highlighting the need for sustainable long-term solutions to improve air quality.

2022
With an average AQI of 192, 2022 saw ongoing challenges in managing air quality,
especially during winter. Efforts to monitor and regulate pollution sources intensified.

2023

Preliminary data suggests that the average AQI was around 215, indicating persistent air
quality issues. The government continued to face pressure to implement more effective
pollution control measures.

2024

As of now in 2024, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi has been reported to be
around 210, with ongoing fluctuations. The air quality typically worsens during the winter
months due to increased pollution from various sources, including traffic, construction, and
crop burning in neighboring states.
Daily average air quality in Delhi, period between 2023 - 2024, establishes trend of
relative improvement in air quality of Delhi-NCR

Here is the month-wise breakdown of air quality trends in Delhi for 2023, which indicates a
relative improvement in air quality compared to previous years:

Month AQI (2023) AQI (2024) CommentsHere is the month-wise breakdown of air
quality trends in Delhi for 2023, which indicates a relative improvement in air quality
compared to previous years:

Month AQI (2023) AQI (2024) Comments

January 160 180 January saw fewer
pollution spikes, with
a noticeable
improvement in AQI
compared to 2022.
February 150 206 Better air quality due
to effective control
measures despite
lower rainfall.
March 170 220 Marginal
improvement as
efforts to reduce
emissions continued.
April 180 200 AQI remained higher
but still showed
improvement year-
over-year.
May 175 185 Continued reduction
in AQI as emissions
control efforts
intensified.
June 160 170 Air quality showed
improvement due to
favorable
meteorological
conditions.
July 150 190 Improved air quality
from increased
rainfall and wind
speeds aiding
pollutant dispersal.
August 140 155 Significant
 improvements due to
continuous rainfall
and pollution
management
strategies.
September 155 160 AQI remained
moderate but
improved compared to
2022.
October 219 210 A slight increase due
to lower rainfall and
slower wind speeds,
though still better than
historical data.

This table captures the month-wise trends in AQI levels for 2023 compared to 2024, reflecting
a relative improvement in air quality throughout the year. The reduction in PM2.5 and PM10
concentrations played a key role in this improvement, alongside increased public measures for
pollution control and favorable weather conditions during several months

Air quality in Delhi from 2023 to 2024 showed some improvement in several months, but the
city still faced challenges with high pollution levels.

January 2024, however, was quite severe, with Delhi ranking as the most polluted city in India,
recording an average PM2.5 concentration of 206 µg/m³.

April 2024 saw significant progress, with only seven days exceeding the AQI level of 200. The
month had the best air quality for April since 2018, thanks to effective pollution control
measures and favorable weather conditions.

By June 2024, Delhi showed some improvement, ranking 22nd in pollution among Indian
cities with an average PM2.5 concentration of 63 µg/m³, but still exceeding the national
ambient air quality .

This trend indicates that while certain months in 2024 had relatively better air quality,
particularly in the summer, Delhi still struggles with high pollution levels, especially in winter
and early spring months due to unfavorable weather conditions and emission sources.
Measures to Improve Air Quality Index in Delhi
Delhi has been grappling with severe air pollution for years. To address this pressing issue,
various measures can be implemented to improve the Air Quality Index (AQI):

Transportation Sector:

● Promote public transportation: Encourage the use of buses, metros, and shared
rides to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road.
● Implement stricter emission standards: Enforce stricter regulations on vehicular
emissions to ensure that vehicles emit less pollutants.
● Promote electric vehicles: Incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles to reduce
emissions from the transportation sector.
● Improve traffic management: Enhance traffic management systems to reduce
congestion and idling time, which contribute to air pollution.

Industrial Sector:

● Enforce stricter emission standards: Implement and enforce stringent emission

standards for industries, especially those located within or near Delhi.
● Promote cleaner technologies: Encourage industries to adopt cleaner technologies
and processes that reduce pollution.
● Relocate polluting industries: Consider relocating polluting industries to areas with
better air quality.

Residential and Commercial Sectors:

● Promote cleaner fuels: Encourage the use of cleaner fuels like LPG for cooking and
heating in households and commercial establishments.
● Reduce waste burning: Raise awareness about the harmful effects of burning waste
and promote proper waste management practices.
● Control dust emissions: Implement measures to control dust emissions from
construction sites and other sources.

Urban Planning and Development:

● Increase green spaces: Plant more trees and create green spaces to help purify the air
and reduce pollution.
● Improve urban planning: Develop urban plans that prioritize sustainable
transportation, reduce congestion, and promote green infrastructure.
● Control urban sprawl: Limit urban sprawl and promote compact development to
reduce the need for longer commutes and associated emissions.

By implementing a combination of these measures, Delhi can significantly improve its air
quality and create a healthier environment for its residents.