Is extreme CNG utilization behind the air pollution mess in Delhi?

Almost three a long time since Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) was first launched (1993) within the nationwide capital, the Delhites have obtained little to no respite from the monstrous menace of air pollution. When launched, CNG was dubbed because the miracle gas. However, through the years, sure research have proved that this alternate gas won’t be the silver bullet because it was pitched for Delhi’s air air pollution downside.  The Gujarat authorities in 2016, citing an professional committee report on fuels had instructed the Gujarat High Court that utilizing CNG indiscriminately in all business and personal autos could trigger extra hurt than estimated.  Switching to CNG is dangerous: Mashelkar Expert CommitteeThe state authorities in an affidavit mentioned, “As observed in Mashelkar Expert Committee report on Auto Fuel Policy in India, CNG vehicles for one mile emits 20 percent more greenhouse gases than a diesel vehicle for one mile. From the perspective of global warming, the decision to switch to CNG from diesel is a harmful one,” The report additional added, “CNG vehicle emits 80 per cent particulate matter and 35 per cent less hydrocarbons. However, the output of carbon monoxide is over five times more than diesel. If CNG is used, there will be a reduction in particulate matter. But other pollutants show a considerable increase. In fact, there is an increase in the emission of greenhouse gases with the increase in the age of CNG engine,” CNG nanoparticles may cause most cancers: CSIR scientistsMoreover, scientists on the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have made comparable observations by remarking that whereas CNG won’t be as poisonous as diesel fumes — the gases produced whereas burning it comprise carbon nanoparticles which are suspected to trigger most cancers. MO Garg, former Director-General, CSIR was quoted as saying by ET, “This is a result of combustion which causes carbon disintegration. We have to see if the nanoparticles arise from CNG or the lubricant used. All I am trying to say is that CNG technology may have great potential but there is also a negative aspect to nanoparticles,” Delhi has misplaced the features of the CNG revolution: EPCAAn EPCA (Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority for Delhi & NCR) report has argued that Delhi misplaced the preliminary features made by the introduction of CNG autos because of the fast motorisation within the metropolis.  The report said, “The annual average PM10 levels were reduced by about 16% between 2002 and 2007. But thereafter, with rapid motorization, particulate levels – key target of policy action, increased dramatically by 75%. Between 2002 and 2012, vehicle numbers increased by as much as 97%, contributing enormously to pollution load.” Source: EPCASimilarly, a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice A J Bhambani in 2019 had posted a question to the Delhi authorities whereas listening to a PIL alongside comparable traces. The bench had requested the AAP authorities if Compress Natural Gas run autos triggered air air pollution.  Compress Natural Gas run autos emit particularly giant numbers of ultrafine particles as small as 2.5 nm. These particles might probably be probably the most dangerous to human well being as they’ve been proven to penetrate deep into the physique and have been linked to an elevated threat of mind most cancers. If particles as small as 2.5nm are taken into consideration, the overall quantity of particles emitted by CNG vehicles and vans will increase by between 100-500 instances. With the arrival of know-how, Compress Natural Gas and its emissions may be introduced down however for these remarking that CNG is the answer to Delhi’s air pollution woes, they’re sadly mistaken. It is nowhere close to the clear gas it was as soon as touted as.