Govt set to revive real-time study of city pollution sources
New Delhi: The Delhi government is poised to reinstate its real-time source apportionment study aimed at identifying and quantifying pollution sources that impact particulate matter (PM) 10 levels in the city’s air. This initiative will be led by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and is expected to span five years.
Objective of the Study
Delhi’s Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, emphasized the importance of this study during a high-level meeting held on Wednesday. He directed officials to expedite the approval process to ensure the study is launched as soon as possible. “This study will help us understand the factors driving pollution in the city, the sources of pollution, and the effectiveness of interventions currently in place,” he stated.
Background of Previous Studies
In 2023, the Delhi government enlisted IIT Kanpur to conduct a real-time source apportionment study named ‘R-aasman’, which focused on PM2.5 levels. However, this study was discontinued due to pending proposals under the previous administration. A government official commented, “The proposals were pending for a long time and were eventually shelved.”
Current Monitoring Systems
At present, Delhi operates a single source apportionment system known as the Decision Support System, managed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune. This system estimates various local and regional sources affecting PM2.5 levels in the city but is only operational during the winter months.
While IITM continues its work on PM2.5 monitoring, there was a prior commitment to also focus on PM10 in a more targeted manner. The decision to advance with the new study was made during the recent meeting attended by officials from the environment department, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and IIT Delhi.
Details of the Proposed Study
The proposed study aims to introduce continuous, real-time source apportionment of airborne pollutants, particularly PM10. This approach is designed to empower policymakers with actionable insights during peak pollution episodes and facilitate long-term evaluations of interventions. Minister Sirsa highlighted, “This will move beyond episodic and retrospective pollution assessments.”
Key Features of the Project
- Reoperationalisation of the DPCC Supersite: The main laboratory for the study will be reactivated and equipped with advanced instrumentation.
- Mobile Monitoring Units: These units will be integrated for hotspot management, allowing for real-time data collection in key areas.
- Advanced Instrumentation: The supersite will feature ceilometers, greenhouse gas (GHG) analyzers, and multi-channel samplers to differentiate meteorological effects from local emissions.
- Comparative Assessments: The study will conduct comparative assessments using data from IIT Delhi’s Sonipat site and the Delhi supersite to better understand regional pollution dynamics.
- Hotspot Monitoring: A mobile van equipped with monitoring instruments will identify hyperlocal sources of pollution, covering all major hotspots with at least 30 days of seasonal sampling per hotspot.
Expected Outcomes
The project is expected to provide comprehensive data on pollution sources in Delhi, which will be crucial for developing effective policies and interventions. By continuously monitoring air quality and pollution sources, the government aims to better manage air quality and protect public health.
Conclusion
As the Delhi government moves forward with this significant initiative, the focus on real-time monitoring of pollution sources is expected to yield valuable insights. These insights will not only inform immediate actions but also contribute to long-term strategies for improving air quality in the capital.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on the latest developments as of April 2026 and is subject to change as the study progresses.
