Quantitative evaluation of source interventions for urban air quality improvement - A case study of Delhi city

Air pollution in Delhi city is an alarming level from last few years. The major challenge for the policy makers is to reduce/manage the elevated air pollution level and related acute and chronic health impacts. Air pollution continues to be a nightmare for Delhiites despite implementation of several diversified source interventions. However, the efficacy of these interventions in the reduction of air pollution level did not evaluate before their implementation in the city. The present study has made an attempt towards the quantitative evaluation of selected management strategies in the reduction of air pollution in Delhi city. The results indicate that efficient cleaning of road dust, restricted use of coal based tandoors in hotels/restaurants and together can reduce the PM2.5 concentrations at selected locations up to 25%. The NOx concentration can reduce by restricting the use of diesel generator sets and coal based tandoors in the hotels up to 6%. Results also indicated that individual sources are not sufficient in controlling the increasing air pollution in the city. A stringent policy portfolio involving the combination of various mitigation measures is necessary to attain the NAAQS along with the policies to control the transboundary movement of air pollutants.