The air quality (AQI) in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), has turned ‘dangerous’ making breathing difficult as people Residents have been complaining of difficulty breathing, even people staying inside their houses have been complaining of heavy breathing with dry cough. Even those staying inside have been complaining of dry cough and irritation of throat. “I have to leave home very early in the morning and the weather outside at that time remains totally haze, have breathe hard,” said Rashmi, a office goer at the metro station. Like her many find it very hard to breathe. According to Early Warning System (EWS), the weather would bet worse in the next few days.
The sun was overshadowed the haze of smog across many areas in Delhi NCR. Some of the areas with poor AQI at a glance – India Gate – 251, Nehru Park – 209, ITO – 226, Bhikaji Cama Place – 276, AIIMS – 253. Other areas too have been placed as ‘poor’ according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
On Friday, the AQI had hit 292, with the Wazirpur region being the worst affected with a reading of 390. Dust pollution within Delhi and other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) are key factors making the air quality worse as easterly winds have begun. The EWS has expressed its dismay over the ‘parali’ or stubble burning across Haryana, Punjab inspite of Supreme Court’s order. On Friday, Haryana Chief Minister Saini said, “None of the farmers in his state would burn stubble. His government is ready to provide all the technical aids to farmers in this regard.” The Haryana CM even thanked and praised the farmers whom he called as the most understanding people.
Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Friday mentioned the names of 13 places where the AQI had crossed 300 in 13 spots – Wazirpur, Mundka, Rohini, Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar, Dwarka Sector-8, Bawana, Narela, Vivek Vihar, Okhla Phase 2, Punjabi Bagh, Ashok Vihar and RK Puram. The situation remained worst across Noida, Faridabad. Mundka remained worst with AQI 374.
The situation is going to get even worse by Diwali.
Meanwhile, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have raised questions on the incompetency to check the stubble burning especially in Punjab where Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in power. Also, the oppostion have questioned the Delhi government over non working of the smog tower installed at Connaught Place in August this year by spending rupees one crore on the initiative.
