New Delhi: The air quality in the national capital worsens in many parts on Sunday, improves in some parts but still remains in ‘poor’ category. The AQI in Anand Vihar crossed 400 mark recording 445 AQI, which is categorised as severe. In the past few days after October 14, the AQI of Delhi crossed 300 mark in many places. A thin layer of smog has engulfed most part of the city with residents complaining of health issues like difficulty in breathing, burning sensation in eyes, cough like symptoms, headaches, throat problems and many more.
Since Friday, many places in Delhi reported an AQI of more than 300 mark. This is alarming as the situation is when stubble burning and Diwali celebration activities have not even started. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the level of PM2.5 which is a prime toxic pollutant with major side-effects was recorded over 117.1 micrograms per cubic metre at 3 pm on Friday which is eight times the safe limit prescribed by WHO which is 15 micrograms per cubic metre for a 24-hour period.
AQI above 500 in some areas
Anand Vihar recorded highest AQI mark of 445 on Sunday morning. Other places include, Shadipur (307), Patparganj (290), Ashok Vihar (281). Delhi Institute of Tool Engineering, Wazirpur recorded an AQI of 533 while ITI Jahangirpuri Delhi recorded an AQI of 514 which falls under ‘hazardous’ category.
Click on the link below to know the #AQI of 258 cities in the country.https://t.co/iLGya1F0mK#SameerApp #CPCB #AQIUpdate @byadavbjp @KVSinghMPGonda @moefcc @mygovindia @PIB_India pic.twitter.com/17gTw3frls
— Central Pollution Control Board (@CPCB_OFFICIAL) October 19, 2024
Political blame game starts
The worsening pollution levels sparked a political blame game between the Aam Aadmi Party and BJP. The AAP attributed the deteriorating air conditions to the changing weather conditions and beginning of stubble burning incidences in the neighbouring states, while BJP attacked AAP citing its failure in curbing pollution in the past ten years.
