Delhi continues to suffocate three days after Diwali, with air quality dipping into the ‘severe’ and ‘very poor’ categories in various parts of the national capital amid the effectiveness of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-2).
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) this morning recorded an AQI of 428 around Anand Vihar, while it was 350 at Akshardham. The AQI near the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and surrounding areas was recorded at 342, according to the CPCB.
“Actions under Phase I and II of the existing GRAP will be duly seriously implemented, monitored and reviewed by all concerned agencies across the NCR to ensure that AQI levels do not decline further. All implementing agencies will be strictly vigilant and intensify measures to the extent of the GRAP plan. Citizens may be requested to strictly observe the civil quality charter and II GRAP”, quoted commission S Airtage-I GRAP As the order of management (CAQM) says.
Dr Nikhil Modi on rising AQI
On Tuesday, Dr. Nikhil Modi, a respiratory medicine specialist at Apollo Hospitals, on the seasonal reasons behind the increase in pollution levels.
According to an ANI report, he explained, “As winter approaches every year, we see the AQI start to rise because as the air cools, the wind speed decreases and the cold air does not rise, causing pollution to accumulate at lower levels.” He added that the rise in AQI was already noticeable before Diwali and is expected to continue after the festival. Dr. Modi noted, “As pollution increases, people with allergies and lung problems face problems like breathing difficulties, cough, watery eyes and other symptoms.”
AAP, BJP exchange war of words on pollution in
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said air pollution data before and after Diwali showed improvement compared to last year, according to PTI. During a press conference, she said, “The pre- and post-Diwali gap (between the average AQI) is smaller this year compared to the previous year, even though firecrackers were allowed this time.”
AAP leaders accused the BJP government in Delhi of closing down pollution monitoring stations across the city, while Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa pointed to stubble burning in Punjab as a cause of deteriorating air quality.
Data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board said the state recorded 415 farm fires between September 15 and October 21 this year, down from 1,510 during the same period last year. The significant decline is attributed to delayed paddy harvest due to rains that continued into the first week of October, the report said, while flood damage in Punjab also contributed to the delay in crop harvest in some areas.
