The air quality in Delhi has once again deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category, as a thick layer of smog enveloped the city on Monday morning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), several parts of Delhi recorded severe air quality levels. At 7:00 a.m., RK Puram recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 419, while ITO recorded 435, Dwarka Sector 8 recorded 402, Jahangirpuri recorded 437, and Ashok Vihar recorded 455, all falling under the severe category.
Local resident, Dr. RK Sharma, expressed concern over the worsening pollution, stating that it is causing damage to the lungs. He advised people to avoid morning walks and cycling due to the high pollution levels. The AQI scale categorizes air quality as ‘good’ (0-100), ‘moderate’ (100-200), ‘poor’ (200-300), ‘very poor’ (300-400), and ‘severe’ (400-500 or above).
The AQI serves as a tool to effectively communicate air quality status to the public in a simplified manner. It condenses complex data on various pollutants into a single number, nomenclature, and color. The recent increase in AQI levels can be attributed to the lifting of several restrictions by the government, including the resumption of construction activities and the entry of polluting trucks into Delhi.
Addressing the escalating pollution, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai conducted a meeting on Friday. He highlighted that while the incidents of stubble burning have reduced significantly, pollution levels continue to rise. Scientists have identified vehicle pollution as the primary contributor, accounting for 36% of the pollution. Biomass burning is another significant factor. In response to these findings, the government has made some major decisions.
(Note: This article has been published from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by NDTV staff, except for the headline.)
