Driving through sustainable systems: a Study of Air Quality Index of Delhi during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The impact of lockdown during covid-19 pandemic on air quality in terms of pollution was investigated in the Delhi/NCR region in this study. The National Air Quality Index (NAQI) uses air quality data for six pollutant measures (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, CO, NO2 and O3) from monitoring stations across the megacity to demonstrate the spatial pattern of air quality before and during the lockdown period due to pandemic. The objective of this study is to investigate the interrelationship among the various parameters the Pearson’s correlation analysis was conducted. The results found were able to demonstrate that during lockdown air quality was significantly improved. It was also found that among other pollutants, level of NO2 and CO have also declined during- lockdown phase. It was observed that during this period of lockdown, the air quality index on maximum number of days was found to be good and satisfactory in Delhi that was the clear indication of an improvement in air quality due to a reduction in pollution and emissions of vehicles and industries. It can be implemented to further work on parameters to improve the air quality in future.