An air quality forecasting system is now operational for the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. This is developed in collaboration with France based Aria Technologies SA and Leosphere SA, with funding from the Government of France, and in technical collaboration with the Central Pollution Control Board of India. The system was piloted before the start of the Commonwealth Games to be held in October 2010.
The system was launched by Ambassador of France on October 22nd, 2010, in New Delhi, India, along with the Chairman of CPCB. An overview and the modeling architecture of the forecasting system will provide further institutional and technical details of the program. Link to the daily reports and animations for other pollutants are accessible here or click on the animation to access the page.
The new system is designed to deliver multi-pollutant air quality forecast for 48 hours in the form of air quality index, hourly average concentrations, and maps of criteria pollutants (particulates, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons). Dissemination of results is crucial to the success of the program and accordingly results are made available through websites, mobile alerts, email alerts, and maps, to the media and the public. Such a system is the first of its kind in India and it is likely that other cities may adopt similar forecasting systems in the future.
Press Releases
2009.10.09 - The Hindustan Times (India)
2010.03.31 - The Mint Newspaper (India) - including an edited 2 min video.
2010.05.20 - La Tribune (France)
2010.06.15 - Down to Earth Magazine (India)
2010.10.15 - Hindustan Times (India)
2010.09.01 - Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (Philippines)
2010.10.22 - Indian Express (India)
2010.10.22 - Sify News (India)
2010.10.23 - Hindustan Times (India)
Aria Technologies SA and Leosphere SA have previously developed similar systems for the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 and the Turin Winter Olympic Games 2006, and have started working with the city of Rio de Janeiro, in preparation for the Olympic Games 2016.
Relevant papers from the SIM Series
SIM-22-2009: AQM in Delhi: Then, Now, & Next
SIM-25-2009: Air Pollution Chemistry in Delhi, India
SIM-28-2009: Measuring Autorickshaw Emissions to Inform Air Quality Policy
SIM-29-2009: Monitoring & Mapping Urban Air Pollution: One Day in Delhi, India
SIM-31-2010: Role of Meteorology on Urban Air Pollution Dispersion: A 20yr Analysis for Delhi
SIM-32-2010: Estimated Air Pollution & Health Benefits of Metro System in Delhi, India
Press coverage on the air pollution in Delhi, leading up to the Commonwealth Games in October, 2010.
