More cars hit Delhi's anti-pollution drive - study
Source: Reuters
By Nita Bhalla NEW DELHI, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Efforts to cut air pollution in the Indian capital through the use of cleaner fuel in public transport are being undone by the growing number of vehicles on the roads, an environmental think-tank said on Thursday. A study by the Washington-based Resources for the Future (RFF) found that sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide levels -- which cause respiratory and heart problems -- have dropped by about 80 percent and 70 percent, respectively, since 1997. But nitrogen dioxide levels have increased by about 30 percent to 100 micrograms per cubic metre since then, well above the permissible limit of 60, the study's co-author said. "Delhi's CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) programme has made a huge difference to air quality and contributed significantly to a drop in sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide levels," Urvashi Narain, who is also a fellow at RFF, told a news conference. "But these gains will be lost if the number of cars on the roads continue to increase as this is increasing nitrogen dioxide levels, which is an emerging threat," she said, adding that New Delhi's three coal-based power plants were also to blame. Excessive inhalation of nitrogen dioxide above permissible levels can lead to respiratory problems and increase the pace of disease progression. Narain said the levels of suspended particulate matter -- which causes chronic bronchitis and asthma -- had remained stable from 1997 to 2005, but the sharp increase in diesel-driven or petrol-driven vehicles were negating the benefits of the CNG in buses, auto-rickshaws and many taxis. The number of vehicles on New Delhi's roads has increased from about 1.5 million in 1997 to an estimated 2.7 million in 2005, the RFF study said. In 2000, the local government introduced its CNG programme, making it compulsory for autorickshaws and buses to use the fuel. Vehicle emissions contribute to about 70 percent of air pollution and industrial emissions made up 20 percent. The remaining emissions are from the domestic sector such as burning of firewood, leaves and garbage. Environmentalists say an estimated 2,000 metric tonnes of air pollutants are released into the atmosphere every day in New Delhi, one of Asia's most polluted cities. Narain said it was important for authorities to expand CNG-fuelled public transport to counter the impact of far more petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles -- bought by a huge and increasingly prosperous middle class -- on the road. "Making CNG compulsory for all vehicles is not realistic. Instead, the government must focus on promoting public transport."
| AlertNet news is provided by |  |
