Increasing problem of pollution in Delhi
New Delhi: Ahead of the arrival of Diwali, air pollution in Delhi-NCR has made it difficult for people to breathe. Every year with the onset of winter, air quality becomes a serious problem in the capital and its surrounding areas. This year also the situation is continuously worsening. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached above 400 at many places in Delhi. Despite restrictions in the third phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control pollution, people are not getting respite from the toxic air.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, air quality was recorded in the severe category in many areas of Delhi at 6 am on Saturday. The situation was worst around IIT Delhi, where the AQI reached 442. Apart from this, 433 were recorded in Punjabi Bagh, 421 in Mundka, 418 in Rohini and 417 in RK Puram.
AQI was 414 in Sonia Vihar, 413 in Najafgarh, 411-411 in Bawana and Dwarka. 409 were recorded in Narela, 403 in Patparganj and 402 in Alipur. The pollution level in these areas remains in the serious category.
The pollution situation in other areas of Delhi also did not improve. The AQI was 397 in Chandni Chowk and Mandir Marg, while 393 was recorded in JNU and 392 in Burari and Sardar Patel Marg. It was 383 in Aya Nagar, 382 on Mathura Road and 364 in Nangloi. AQI 340 was recorded at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Whereas in Lodhi Road and Anand Vihar it was around 278 and 276 respectively.
The effect of pollution is evident in Noida also. Sector-62 was the most polluted here, where AQI was recorded at 415. In other areas, it was 287 in Sector-116, 281 in Sector-125, 267 in Sector-39, 257 in Sector-110 and 251 in Sector-1. AQI 230 was recorded in Sector-150.
In view of the worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Subcommittee of the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) on November 6 decided to immediately implement the Phase 3 restrictions of GRAP. Under GRAP, restrictions are imposed in different stages according to the level of pollution.
As per the rules, when AQI is between 201 to 300, the first stage of GRAP is applicable, the second stage between 301 to 400 and the third stage between 401 to 450. The fourth and most stringent stage applies when AQI goes above 450. Despite this, the increasing level of pollution in Delhi-NCR remains a major challenge for the administration and the general public.