You can now check pollution levels at traffic intersections

The pollution score of the Capital can now be seen at the major traffic intersections, as LED panels displaying hourly air quality index (AQI) have been installed at various places in the city under a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) project. The LED screens will also display health advisories corresponding with the AQI.

A total of 50 traffic signals have been identified in the first phase of the initiative across the Capital. However, at present, the LED screens have been put up at ITO and Connaught Place.

After a spell of good air days, the AQI again shot up to 395 units on Thursday in the 'very poor' category. The score is very close to 'severe' which starts at 400 units.

According to the CPCB officials, the situation was such because of the return of fog and with it moisture in the air trapping pollutants.

The LED panels will soon be put up at metro stations as well, said officials.

"The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) was behind the project, something which the Delhi government had also envisaged in the past but never executed," said Aditya Shama, a scientist with CPCB, who is handling the project.

"The CPCB has not put up separate panels for this purpose but using the existing display boards of the Traffic Police where video clips on road safety are also played," said Sharma.

Dipankar Saha, air quality laboratory chief, CPCB, said the department has been in talks with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and major city hospitals to put up similar panels.

Meanwhile, the CPCB has asked the state pollution control boards of Delhi-NCR to intensify pollution mitigation efforts in their respective areas, in view of the ASEAN summit starting January 19.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered Good, 51 -100 Satisfactory, 101-200 Moderate, 201-300 Poor, 301-400 Very Poor, and 401-500 Severe.