Press release - October 22, 2015
New Delhi 22 October 2015: On the occasion of Delhi’s first car free day, Greenpeace India carried out an air-quality monitoring survey between Red Fort and India Gate. Monitoring was done for four hours on the car free day and a day before. Data on the regular day i.e. 21st October showed that the pollution (PM2.5 concentration) in Delhi was 428 µg/m³ which is seven times higher than National Ambient Air Quality Standard and 16 times higher than the WHO standards. Data captured on the car free day i.e. 22nd October showed 172 µg/m³ which is three times higher than NAAQS and seven times higher than WHO standards. It should also be noted that the air quality monitoring station closest to the car free zone was not even providing data1 on PM 2.5 and PM 10 making it difficult to understand the impact of such initiatives thereby making it a symbolic initiative at best.
The situation is not much different in other places in Delhi. Five out of 10 Ambient Air Quality Stations installed to provide real time air quality data to people through NAQI, either provide three-month-old data or do not provide data on PM2.5 and PM10. This clearly shows that National Air Quality Index (NAQI) in its current form is lacking in data accuracy, poor at dissemination of information, and fails to provide adequate data or information on precautions for people to safeguard their health or recommend immediate actions to be taken by the government on bad air days to protect public health.
“Observing a car free day is a positive, if symbolic, initiative by the government; however, to really bring the air quality of Delhi within safe breathable standards, there need to be more comprehensive long term solutions covering wider spaces and other pollution sectors such as industries and thermal power plants. More importantly, in the short term, the NAQI needs to be implemented in spirit before it can help the public protect themselves and prompt governments to take appropriate action on bad air days,” says Sunil Dahiya, Campaigner Greenpeace India.
Notes to Editor
1. Status of NAQI portal as on 22nd October 2015
http://www.greenpeace.org/india/Global/india/2015/StatusofNAQIportalason22ndOctober2015.pdf
For more information contact:
Madhulika Verma, Communications Specialist +91 9971137736, 
Avinash Chanchal, Communications Specialist +91 8359826363, 
Sunil Dahiya, Campaigner +91 9013673250, 