Question

(a) A decade back, the enormous vehicular traffic in Delhi had made Delhi rank 4th among most polluted cities of the world. Two measures taken by the Delhi government brought marked improvement in air quality by 2005. What were these two measures and how did they reduce air pollution?
(b) What is the norm set by Euro-II for petrol and diesel vehicles?

Answer 1

(a) Government, through a new auto fuel policy, has laid out a map to cut down vehicular pollution in indian cities including Delhi.
(i) Switching over the entire public transport (i.e., buses autorickshaws, taxis) from diesel to CNG. CNG burns more efficiently and little is left unburnt
(ii) CNG is cheaper than petrol/diesel and cannot be siphoned off thiefs or adultered like petrol or diesel.
(b) Government has introduced Euro II norms. This norm stipulates that sulphur be controlled at 350 ppm in diesel and 150 ppm in petrol. Aromatic hydrocarbons are to be contained at 42% of the concerned fuel. It has significantly improved the air quality.