The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Union government to provide a response on implementing the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) recommendations for reducing elevated ozone levels in Delhi.
This follows concerns raised over ozone concentrations exceeding permissible limits in several areas of the national capital.
Previously, the NGT instructed the CPCB and related agencies to submit detailed explanations for the high ozone levels and propose targeted solutions.
In its December 23 order, the tribunal, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel, referred to the CPCB’s December 20 report, which outlined measures and recommendations to address ozone pollution.
The CPCB emphasized that controlling ozone requires addressing its precursors, including nitrous oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), methane, and carbon monoxide (CO). The report highlighted that ozone and its precursors often travel over long distances, complicating localized control measures.
The CPCB noted that national initiatives, such as the 2019 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aim to reduce these precursors through city-specific clean air action plans across 130 non-attainment cities, including Delhi.
The tribunal acknowledged interventions targeting key sectors such as transportation, power plants, industries, and waste management to curb emissions of NOx, VOCs, CO, and methane. Additionally, measures to prevent biomass burning, particularly paddy straw burning in northern India, were also noted.
However, the CPCB suggested that elevated ozone levels during the COVID-19 lockdown and their connection to transboundary movement, soil, and biogenic emissions necessitate a detailed study involving air quality experts.
Given the report’s recommendations, the tribunal directed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to file an affidavit evaluating the CPCB’s suggestions. A fresh report from the CPCB was also requested to assess the effectiveness of the government’s measures.
The NGT had earlier taken suo motu cognizance of a news report highlighting excessive ozone levels in Delhi. A Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) report revealed breaches of national standards at seven monitoring stations in 2022 and nine stations in summer 2023.
Traffic-heavy areas like Nehru Nagar recorded the highest eight-hour ozone concentration of 224.9 µg/m³—over twice the permissible limit of 100 µg/m³.
The matter will be reviewed on April 21.
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