Delhi-NCR pollution laboratory opens to analyse pollutant composition and sources

An air-pollution analysis laboratory was inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology’s Delhi Branch on 24 October 2026 to study the composition and sources of pollution in Delhi-NCR, according to a Ministry of Earth Sciences release issued through PIB. The Integrated Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory, or AATAL, has been established under Mission Mausam.

The ministry says the facility combines atmospheric measurements, chemical analysis, source identification and decision-support capabilities. It is intended to help distinguish contributions from vehicles, industry, biomass and crop-residue burning, construction and road dust, and pollution transported from surrounding regions. These are reported analytical capabilities, rather than proof that pollution has already fallen.

The laboratory can analyse gases and aerosols, including fine particulate matter, metals and other components, the release says. It is integrated with IITM’s AIRWISE system, which combines forecasts, observations and source-apportionment information. The aim is to support more targeted decisions by pollution-management agencies.

A source-contribution percentage shown at one moment should not be treated as a fixed share for every day or the whole region. This report therefore does not convert the release’s illustrative screen reading into a lasting estimate, or present the laboratory’s inauguration as a measured health outcome.

Source: Ministry of Earth Sciences, Press Information Bureau, 24 October 2026. Original KROV English reporting and Telugu adaptation based on the official release.