There has been a huge increase of around 125 per cent in NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) in Delhi's air pollution during the period of last one year, claimed Greenpeace India, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in its study report which analysed NO2 concentrations in India's eight most-populous cities.
As per its reports, between April 2020 and April 2021, NO2 pollution has risen in all the eight capitals of states surveyed -- Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur and Lucknow.
The report states that the national capital has witnessed the 'most dramatic increase' during the period.
NO2 is a dangerous air pollutant that is emitted when fuel is burnt, which is common in most of the motor vehicles, power generation, and industrial processes.
Exposure to NO2 can severely affect people's health irrespective of their ages, harming the respiratory and circulatory systems and the brain, leading to an increase in hospital admissions and mortality.
"Satellite observations reveal NO2 pollution increased to 125 per cent of April 2020 levels. The analysis suggests the increase would have been even greater (146 per cent) had weather conditions been similar to 2020," read the report.
It further added, "Behind the Smokescreen - Satellite data revealed air pollution increase in India's eight most populous state capitals."
It further revealed that Mumbai witnessed an increase in NO2 pollution by 52 per cent, Bengaluru by 90 per cent, Hyderabad by 69 per cent, Chennai by 94 per cent, Kolkata by 11 per cent, Jaipur by 47 per cent and Lucknow by 32 per cent in April 2021 compared to the same month last year.