In summer of record heat, Gurugram sees a sharp spike in pollution levels too

GURUGRAM: The air quality in April-May this year has been worse than that in the same period last year due to the combined effects of higher temperatures, lesser rainfall, and the resumption of economic activities and traffic movement after the pandemic lockdown.

Compared to April-May 2021, Gurugram saw 26 more ‘poor’ air days and two more ‘very poor’ air days in April-May this year.
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In April this year, Gurugram saw three ‘moderate’, 24 ‘poor’ and three ‘very poor’ air days. April 2021 had seen 19 ‘moderate’ and 10 ‘poor’ air days, and only one ‘very poor’ air day. In May this year, the city saw one ‘satisfactory’, 16 ‘moderate’ and 14 ‘poor’ air days. May 2021 had seen one ‘good’, eight ‘satisfactory’, 20 ‘moderate’ and two ‘poor’ days. At 204, the average AQI in May this year has deteriorated to the ‘poor’ category. It was 121, i.e., in the ‘moderate’ category, in May 2021. In line with this trend, the average AQI in April this year was 243 but 178 in April 2021.
According to the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), less rain and the severe heatwaves have impacted the air quality indices this year. An AQI between zero and 50 is categorised ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’. “We have witnessed higher pollution levels this year due to lesser rain, higher temperatures and more vehicular movement than last year,” said S Narayana, member secretary, HSPCB, Gurugram .
Gurugram has witnessed five heatwave spells since April. On May 15, it recorded the city’s highest maximum temperature, 48.1 degrees Celsius. It was also the hottest May day in 56 years.
Experts pointed out that local factors like large-scale construction activities, road dust, and waste burning are dominant contributors to air pollution in summer, increasing SOx, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. In Gurugram , the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations from April 1-May 31, 2022, were 138 ug/m3 and 215 ug/m3, respectively. From April 1-May 31 2021, the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were 78 ug/m3 and 127 ug/m3, respectively. As per the numbers, both PM 2.5 and PM 10 contributions have increased this year.
The accumulation of particulate matter in the atmosphere from road dust has increased because there was hardly any rain this April and May, said experts. Road dust increases both PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. The construction sector has also added to PM2.5 concentrations. Vehicular emissions spiked NOx and NO2 concentrations. “Pollution levels in summer are driven by dust, biomass burning and vehicular emissions. ‘Poor’ air quality in summer reiterates this is not a winter-only problem and needs collective action throughout the year. Authorities should ensure year-round vigilance and action against pollution sources like waste burning, dust from unpaved roads and construction activities. They should carry out periodic ward-wise reconnaissance surveys, map pollution sources, and generate real-time actionable data,” said LS Kurinji, a programme associate at Council on Energy, Environment and Water.
Experts said that green spaces could help trap dust. “Fewer green spaces is one of the reasons for increased pollution. Dust sources also increase due to a lack of planning and execution. Road digging without covers or dust control measures, unpaved footpaths, and a lack of green belts increase dust,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, the executive director of research and advocacy at Centre for Science and Environment.
When asked how heatwaves impact air quality, Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at Amity Centre for Air Pollution Control, said, “Heat waves and dry weather conditions kick up dust from roads and building sites. The air had cleared up on the two days we received rains. Along with heatwaves, the incidences of small fires have also increased, contributing to air pollution.”