Delhi’s Air Turns ‘Very Poor’ As Air Quality Crosses 300-Mark; Government Issues Directions

New Delhi: The air pollution in Delhi has been worsening, with the air quality dropping from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ category in the last one week. On Monday (October 23), the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 306 against 302 on Sunday afternoon, as per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). Officials from the India Meteorological Department stated that the air quality in Delhi-NCR will remain ‘very poor’ for the next few days due to a drop in temperature and the influx of emissions from stubble burning.

Citizens’ Reactions On Depleting Air Quality

A cyclist at Indian Gate, Sanjay Chaudhary, while talking to news agency ANI, said,

The situation is not good at all. I think pollution levels have been rising in Delhi for the past 10-12 days. We can feel it in our eyes today. The smog is dense. I think the situation is not good at all. We, the cyclists, carry masks and bandanas with us, but I don’t think there is any alternative, and if you have to be on the road, you have to face it.

Another cyclist at Indian Gate, Rahul Kundra, said,

Right now, we can feel the pollution a little as we cycle every day. It will increase a little that will become visible too. At that time, we stop cycling and go for an alternative.

Also Read: Delhi Air Quality Plunges Into ‘Poor’ Category With Air Quality Index Of 245

Delhi Government On Action

Amid the rise in the air pollution, the Delhi government has implemented the second phase of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), to reduce the effect of increased pollution in the national capital. GRAP is a set of emergency measures that kick in to prevent further deterioration of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold in the Delhi-NCR region.

The government held a meeting earlier in the afternoon, with officials from 28 departments in connection to the execution of the GRAP phase 2. Speaking to the media, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said,

The cold has started increasing in Delhi and the speed of the wind has decreased, and this has resulted in an increase in the air pollution.

The government has identified eight more pollution hotspots in Delhi apart from 13 identified earlier, including Shadipur, Mandir Marg, Patparganj, Sonia Vihar, Moti Bagh, ITO, Nehru Nagar, and Dhyaan Chand Stadium, among others.

Also Read: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai Launches Anti-Dust Campaign In Delhi To Combat Air Pollution

Environment Minister Rai said that the next 20-25 days are crucial and citizens must take measures to protect themselves. Urging the citizens to support the government measures, Environment Minister Rai said,

Without a coordinated effort, it is challenging to resolves the problem of air pollution.

He also advised people to register themselves for Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) for the pollution control test.

Also Read: Air Quality Index Worsens In Haryana’s Jind

(With inputs from ANI)

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