A study based on real-time pollution data during the Covid-19 lockdown this
April helped Delhi get its baseline pollution levels -- the minimum pollution
when major polluting sources are shut. Now, with most restrictions removed
in a phased manner, the pandemic may be causing deterioration of air
pollution in the Capital.
Experts say that while the Covid-19 pandemic has restricted activities, it
has resulted in fewer people using public transport, leading to more use of
personal vehicles. More vehicles on road means more emissions, which,
coupled with poor dispersal due to slow wind speed, leads to higher ambient
air pollution levels.
According to the data by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the ridership in
the past fortnight has been 78% of the number of people who took the
Metro during same period last year due to Covid restrictions. Even though
ridership is rising, a Metro spokesperson said that it would take some
months before the passenger level reaches pre-Covid levels.
Similarly, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has recorded a dip in daily
bus ridership. Transport minister Kailash Gahlot had said last week that
there was about 54% dip in ridership due to Covid restrictions which allows
filling only half of the seats.
While several people are working from homes, traffic on Delhi roads is rising.
Data from Google’s community mobility trends shows traffic on Delhi roads
was just 30% less than the pre-Covid period baseline of January 3 to
February 6, this year. In August, this dip was 67%, and in April 80%.
As only limited public transport was available, Delhi also witnessed a spike
in vehicle sales after Covid unlock guidelines were implemented from June8. According to Society for Automobile Manufacturing (SIAM), Delhi, has
seen an increase of about 16% in sale of new passenger vehicles -- cars
and two-wheelers – as compared to same period last year. The overall
vehicles sales increase in August in India was 14.6%. SIAM is yet to release
data for September.
“The pandemic outbreak has changed people’s preferences”. and we believe
they will opt for personal mobility solutions rather than shared mobility,”
co-founder and CEO of Car Dekho Amit Jain said.
A scientist at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, who asked not to be
named, said more vehicles on road is one main reasons for bad air quality
in and around Delhi. Most of the pollution load is coming from within and
around 70km of Delhi, he said.
Attempt any ten out of the following by choosing the most
appropriate option.
[1x10=10]
a) What does the passage talk about?
I. The increasing pollution in Delhi
II. the impact of healthy food
III. the benefit of exercise
IV. the lack of human values
b). What has led to deterioration of air pollution?(para 1)
I. air pollution caused by industries
II. sudden increase in emission of gases
III. people using vehicles after removal of restrictions
IV. Use of old vehicles
c). Due to COVID, people are using personal vehicle more because
I. it is cheaper.
II. it doesn’t bring people in contact of others.
III. it is more comfortable.
IV. public vehicles are not easily available.
d). The ridership in metro has increased by 78% compared to people
I. Who rode during last year, same time.
II.Who travelled by bus.
III. Who rode since fortnight?
IV. Who will ride next year?
e). Why is there a dip in ridership in DTC buses?
I. I because people are using their own vehicle
II. because the buses are dirty
III. because buses may spread COVID
IV. because of govt restrictions of filling half of the seats.
f) .Data from Google community mobility trend shows traffic was:I. 30% more than COVID times
II. 30% less than COVID times
III. 54% more than earlier
IV 54% less than earlier
g. Which word in para 1 means 'control'?
I. Restrictions II.manner
III. Pandemic IV. deterioration
h. Which word does not mean same as pandemic
I. wide spread II.Universal
III. Partial IV. global
i.Choose the closest meaning of 'Emission'
I. leak II. Refrain
III. Suppress IV. conceal
j. Find the antonym of the word 'mobility'
I. stillness II.Movability
III. Portability IV. flux
k. Which of the following statement is not correct?
I. Vehicle sale decreased after COVID unlock
II. Delhi saw an increase of 16% in sale of vehicles
III. Overall sale increased by 14.6% in August
IV. COVID guidelines released on june 8
l. Choose the correct name of SIAM
I. Society for Automatic Machines
II. Society for Automobile Manufacturing
III.Society of Asian Mines
IV. School of Arabian Members
Answers
Answer:
He remembered yet the East India Tea House at the Fair, the sandalwood, the turbans, and the robes, the cool interior and the smell of India tea; and he had felt now the nostalgic thrill of dew-wet mornings in Spring, the cherry scent, the cool clarion earth, the wet loaminess of the garden, the pungent breakfast smells and the floating snow of blossoms. He knew the inchoate sharp excitement of hot dandelions in young earth; in July, of watermelons bedded in sweet hay, inside a farmer's covered wagon; of cantaloupe and crated peaches; and the scent of orange rind, bitter-sweet, before a fire of coals. He knew the good male smell of his father's sitting-room; of the smooth worn leather sofa, with the gaping horse-hair rent; of the blistered varnished wood upon the hearth; of the heated calf-skin bindings; of the flat moist plug of apple tobacco, stuck with a red flag; of wood-smoke and burnt leaves in October; of the brown tired autumn earth; of honey-suckle at night; of warm nasturtiums, of a clean ruddy farmer who comes weekly with printed butter, eggs, and milk; of fat limp underdone bacon and of coffee; of a bakery-oven in the wind; of large deep-hued stringbeans smoking-hot and seasoned well with salt and butter; of a room of old pine boards in which books and carpets have been stored, long closed; of Concord grapes in their long white baskets.He remembered yet the East India Tea House at the Fair, the sandalwood, the turbans, and the robes, the cool interior and the smell of India tea; and he had felt now the nostalgic thrill of dew-wet mornings in Spring, the cherry scent, the cool clarion earth, the wet loaminess of the garden, the pungent breakfast smells and the floating snow of blossoms. He knew the inchoate sharp excitement of hot dandelions in young earth; in July, of watermelons bedded in sweet hay, inside a farmer's covered wagon; of cantaloupe and crated peaches; and the scent of orange rind, bitter-sweet, before a fire of coals. He knew the good male smell of his father's sitting-room; of the smooth worn leather sofa, with the gaping horse-hair rent; of the blistered varnished wood upon the hearth; of the heated calf-skin bindings; of the flat moist plug of apple tobacco, stuck with a red flag; of wood-smoke and burnt leaves in October; of the brown tired autumn earth; of honey-suckle at night; of warm nasturtiums, of a clean ruddy farmer who comes weekly with printed butter, eggs, and milk; of fat limp underdone bacon and of coffee; of a bakery-oven in the wind; of large deep-hued stringbeans smoking-hot and seasoned well with salt and butter; of a room of old pine boards in which books and carpets have been stored, long closed; of Concord grapes in their long white baskets.He remembered yet the East India Tea House at the Fair, the sandalwood, the turbans, and the robes, the cool interior and the smell of India tea; and he had felt now the nostalgic thrill of dew-wet mornings in Spring, the cherry scent, the cool clarion earth, the wet loaminess of the garden, the pungent breakfast smells and the floating snow of blossoms. He knew the inchoate sharp excitement of hot dandelions in young earth; in July, of watermelons bedded in sweet hay, inside a farmer's covered wagon; of cantaloupe and crated peaches; and the scent of orange rind, bitter-sweet, before a fire of coals. He knew the good male smell of his father's sitting-room; of the smooth worn leather sofa, with the gaping horse-hair rent; of the blistered varnished wood upon the hearth; of the heated calf-skin bindings; of the flat moist plug of apple tobacco, stuck with a red flag; of wood-smoke and burnt leaves in October; of the brown tired autumn earth; of honey-suckle at night; of warm nasturtiums, of a clean ruddy farmer who comes weekly with printed butter, eggs, and milk; of fat limp underdone bacon and of coffee; of a bakery-oven in the wind; of large deep-hued stringbeans smoking-hot and seasoned well with salt and butter; of a room of old pine boards in which books and carpets have been stored, long closed; of Concord grapes in their long white baskets.He remembered yet the East India Tea House at the Fair, the sandalwood, the turbans, and the robes, the cool interior and the smell of India tea; and he had felt now the nostalgic thrill of dew-wet mornings in Spring, the cherry scent, the cool clarion earth, the wet loaminess of the garden, the pungent breakfast smells and the floating snow of blossoms. He knew the inchoate sharp excitement of