A fresh analysis conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has challenged the conventional understanding of the air pollution crisis in the national capital. The analysis has concluded that Delhi has been witnessing rising PM 2.5 levels for two consecutive years despite a reduction in stubble burning incidence in the neighbouring states.
“The annual PM2.5 concentration has increased to 104.7 microgramme per cubic metre (µg/m³) in 2024 -- a 3.4 per cent rise from 2023 levels. This is also more than twice the national ambient air quality standard of 40 µg/m³. The PM2.5 levels have increased after consistent decline and stabilisation between 2018 and 2022,” the analysis report titled 2024: Delhi at risk of losing its long term air quality gains noted.
The analysis, authored by Anumita Roychowdhury and Sharanjeet Kaur, has clearly underscored that this rise in PM 2.5 levels cannot be seen as an annual aberration due to meteorological factors. It asserts that this consistent rise indicates the impact of growing pollution from within the confines of the national capital.
“Real-time data from Delhi’s monitoring stations for the winter period (October 1-December 31) reveals a troubling 26 per cent surge in peak pollution levels compared to the previous year during the early phase of winter. The city has experienced 17 days of severe or worse air quality, alongside two extended smog episodes with average smog intensity of 371 µg/m³ and 324 µg/m³, respectively. This has kept the average levels elevated,” Sharanjeet Kaur, Programme Officer with CSE’s Urban Lab and lead author of the study was quoted as saying.
The CSE analysis mentioned that farm stubble burning is widely regarded as a major contributor to elevated PM2.5 levels during the early winter months. However, this year a noticeable improvement has been reported, with the number of fire incidents in Punjab and Haryana declining significantly compared to previous years.
“Delhi cannot hide behind the smoke screen of farm fires any more. Despite a 71.2 per cent drop in stubble fire incidents during the October-December 2024, the winter pollution has remained elevated, upsetting the annual trend,” Roychowdhury, a noted researcher on air pollution and mobility was quoted in an official press statement.
The analysis highlighted that in 2024, the total annual fire counts (Delhi, Punjab and Haryana) dropped from 63,721 in 2023 to 39,865, marking a decline of 37.5 per cent. The seasonal fire activity during October-December saw an even steeper reduction, from 37,276 in 2023 to 10,712 in 2024 — a remarkable 71.2 per cent decrease.
Roychowdhury further stated that the action has to move much beyond reactive emergency measures during winter.
“The fact that annual trends have risen for two consecutive years despite the decline in farm fire incidents during winter, shows much deeper systemic changes are required to cut the round-the-year emissions from a variety of sources in Delhi and the surrounding region,” she stated.