Severe AQI in Delhi-NCR: Delhiites woke up to thick blanket of smog and deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) which has reached ‘Severe’ levels. On Thursday morning, air quality from different parts of Delhi was recorded in severe category. The fog blanket even reduced visibility in some parts of the national capital. AQI turned ‘Severe’ for the first time this season on Wednesday. The deterioration was attributed to an “unprecedentedly dense” fog and described as an “episodic event”.
As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI in Delhi on Thursday stands at 430 at 7 am which comes under ‘severe’ category.
AQI from other areas was recorded at Anand Vihar (473), Ashok Vihar (471), Bawana (455), Chandni Chowk (407), Dwarka-Sector 8 (458), Jahangirpuri (471) ITO (419), Mundka (460), Mandir Marg (438), Okhla Phase-2 (439), Najafgarh (455), Pusa (412), R K Puram (452), Rohini (452), Wazirpur (467), Vivek Vihar (466).
AQI in Noida (335), Faridabad (324), Ghaziabad (364), Gurgaon (291), Sonipat (198).
#WATCH | Noida, Uttar Pradesh: A thick layer of smog envelops NCR as the air quality continues to deteriorate.
Visuals from Noida where the AQI has been recorded at 335, categorised as very poor according to the CPCB pic.twitter.com/pIZ9P9nOG4
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024
Notably, AQI in Delhi has been in ‘very poor’ category since October 30. Several citizens reported facing problem in such hazardous conditions. Residents complained of low visibility on the roads and have also been experiencing irritation in their eyes, running nose, breathlessness and cough.
Residents Report Issues Due To Rising Air Pollution Level
Speaking to ANI, Upendra Singh, a local said that they have started to experience lot of issues with temperature also dropping down. He pointed out that there is barely any visibility on the road. ‘We have also been experiencing irritation in the eyes, running nose, breathlessness and cough,” added Singh.
A cyclist near India Gate complained that due to the increasing pollution, he had to halt his routine.
“I come here to cycle daily. However, I had to stop cycling for some time due to no visibility and high level of pollution in the city. It is getting difficult to breathe,” said he. He stressed that the government needs to take some action on this urgently. Locals should also cooperate with the government and take precautionary measures.
A senior citizen complained that he and his grandchildren had been facing breathing issues and throat pain because of the pollution. “We are facing a lot of problems. I am a senior citizen. My grandchildren are also suffering from problems while going to school,” he said. He further added that they are having breathing issues, irritation in the eyes and throat pain. The man emphasised that the government needs to take action on this.
Severe AQI in Delhi-NCR: Opposition Criticises Delhi Government
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla on Wednesday had criticised Delhi government on rising air pollution level. He said that the national capital has become a gas chamber. Poonawalla blames AAP for the rise in pollution levels in Delhi.
Speaking to ANI, he said, “AAP used to blame stubble burning in Punjab for that. Now, more than 6000 cases of stubble burning have happened in Punjab but they chose to stay silent on that.”
He added that AAP blames Diwali, UP and Haryana for the rise in air pollution, but stays silent on the internal reasons of Delhi for this situation. “Whether it is pollution in Yamuna River or air pollution in Delhi, AAP is responsible for all this, Poonawalla added.
Earlier, Supreme Court had said that the right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere is a fundamental right of every citizen under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and no religion encourages any activity that creates pollution.
#WATCH | Delhi: A thick layer of smog engulfs the Akshardham Temple and surrounding areas as the air quality deteriorates to 'Severe' category in several parts of the national capital, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
AQI in Anand Vihar is at 473 pic.twitter.com/D9kG71TBhc
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024
#WATCH | Delhi: "… The pollution is causing a lot of problems… I think that the reason is the increasing no. of vehicles…" says Raunak, a resident who went out for a morning walk. pic.twitter.com/bXviGzDZH4
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024
