Comparing with the months of February 2020 and March 2020, vehicular emission levels have declined by three-fourth across Mumbai and Pune between the lockdown period that is between March 24 and April 25, as per the data published by System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) on May 3
.The Air Quality Index (AQI), in Mumbai, was 37, making it the cleanest air day so far this year, while Pune recorded an AQI of 47 which also falls under the ‘good’ category. Considering the comparison of AQI of the four major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune on a monthly basis, it was seen that a major slump in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels was seen in Pune that accounted for 70 percent decline. For Mumbai, it was a 69 percent decline while Delhi and Ahmedabad recorded a decline of 33 percent and 30 percent respectively. Toxic gases such as NO2 are emitted while burning coal, oil, or other fossil fuels. The gas is also present in the vehicular emissions.
Moreover, the SAFAR data also showed a slump in PM2.5 levels. Considering the PM2.5 levels, Ahmedabad saw the most fall of 51 percent in the particulate matter (PM2.5). Mumbai followed with 49 percent decline. Pune saw a decline of 39 percent and the national capital recoded a decline of 31 percent.
