English
New Delhi: The air quality in the national capital remained ‘very poor’ on Monday morning, with an air quality index of 331. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi NCR has received some relief, but a significant reduction in high pollution levels is unlikely over the next few days. The overall AQI in the last 24 hours was 319 on Saturday, 405 on Friday, and 419 on Thursday. In neighboring regions, Ghaziabad (306), Gurugram (239), Greater Noida (288), Noida (308), and Faridabad (320) also recorded a decline in air quality.
Amid the surging air pollution levels, the Delhi health department has released an advisory to address the impact of this environmental concern. The advisory underscores the importance of taking essential measures to safeguard public health, focusing on vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, individuals with underlying medical conditions, children, and the elderly.
To curb pollution and ensure adherence to anti-pollution measures, police are inspecting trucks carrying non-essential goods at different borders including the Ghazipur and the Tikri borders, as part of the GRAP 4 regulations.
Under Delhi’s air pollution control strategy (GRAP Stage IV), only CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states are permitted to enter the city, excluding those involved in essential services.
The Delhi government is gearing up for a round of artificial rain in the city on November 20-21 to alleviate the suffering of residents grappling with a sharp decline in air quality over the past week.
The air quality in Delhi-NCR deteriorated in the past week due to dropping temperatures, stagnant winds limiting pollution dispersion, and an increase in post-harvest paddy stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.
The Delhi High Court has expressed its concern over the deteriorating air pollution and stated that it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that the air quality index (AQI) comes down, citing every third child in the national capital is asthmatic. The court made this statement while assessing different aspects of enhancing Delhi’s greenery, including the process of deconcretizing trees to provide them with more breathing room, eliminating encroachments from the Southern Ridge area, and designating a new forest area for preservation.
Adverse meteorological conditions, along with emissions from firecrackers, stubble burning, and local sources of pollution, combine to push the air quality in Delhi-NCR to hazardous levels during the winter season. According to the news agency ANI, there have been over 2,500 reported cases of stubble burning this year.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Delhi News on India.com.
