The overall Air
Quality Index or AQI in the National Capital continues to be in the ‘severe’
category, as per the data from the Central Pollution Control Board-CPCB. Toxic
smog continued to persist over several parts of the city on Thursday.
According to the
data issued by the System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research or SAFAR-India,
AQI in Anand Vihar was recorded at 432 (severe category), while RK Puram area
the AQI stood at 453 (severe category).
Similarly, the air
quality at Punjab Bagh was recorded at 444 (severe), while ITO stands at 441
(severe category).
“The pollution is
very high. Everyone is facing problems. We are experiencing a burning sensation
in our eyes,” said a local in the Connaught Place area.
“The pollution is
causing a lot of problems. There is difficulty in breathing and the government
should do something,” another resident said while speaking to ANI.
The Supreme Court
on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the hazardous air quality in the
national capital and directed that farmers should stop stubble burning
forthwith in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, saying it was one of
the major contributors to air pollution.
It also observed
that schemes like odd-even for vehicles to tackle pollution issues mere optics.
The Delhi Government
on Monday decided to reintroduce the odd-even rule from November 13 to 20 in
view of the concerns of deterioration in air quality. A decision on further
extending the odd-even rule would be taken later.
According to the
8-point action plan, there will be a ban on entry of truck traffic into Delhi
(except for trucks carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services
and all LNG/ CNG/ electric trucks).
Meanwhile, Noida
and Ghaziabad district administrations have decided to discontinue all physical
classes in schools till Friday in view of the worsening air quality conditions.
The administration
suggested schools that they conduct classes in online mode.
Air pollution
levels can be high during the winter months for a number of reasons, including
dust and vehicular pollution, dry-cold weather, stubble burning, burning crop
residues after the harvest season, and commuting.
Cold air is denser
and moves slower than warm air, so it traps pollution and doesn’t whisk it
away. This means that air pollution in winter remains in place for much longer
than during the summer.
According to
doctors, for any healthy person, a recommended AQI should be less than 50, but
these days the AQI has spiked beyond 400, which could prove fatal for those
suffering from lung-related diseases and even pose a risk of lung cancer.
ANI
