Delhi AQI Hovers Around 500 As Odd-Even Ends Today, People Can't Breathe In National Capital
No decision was taken on Thursday on extending the odd-even road rationing scheme, which enters its final day on Friday. The anti-pollution measure kicked in on November 4 and is scheduled to end on November 15, if not extended by the Delhi gov
Delhi government¡¯s Odd-Even programme, aimed to tackle the toxic air quality in the national capital, ends today. And while it is the last day of the scheme, residents have no relief from thick smog that has engulfed the city, leading to respiratory ailments for many.
After a brief respite last week, the noxious haze is back in the capital.
Arvind Kejriwal -led Aam Aadmi Party government is still uncertain regarding the extension of the Odd-Even road rationing system in Delhi, even as a public health emergency is being declared in the capital.
"A final decision about extending the odd-even rule could be taken on Friday, depending on the situation of air pollution and outcome of a hearing pertaining to the scheme in the Supreme Court," a Delhi government functionary said.
Kejriwal had earlier said the odd-even restrictions could be extended, if required.
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AQI hovers around 500-mark
On Thursday, Delhi-NCR battled severe pollution as several children wrote to prime minister Narendra Modi urging him to take measures to ensure clean air for them.
Schools remained closed on Thursday as toxic air choked the capital, restricting most of the children indoors on Children¡¯s Day.
Many students posted copies of their handwritten letters on Twitter with the hashtag "BacchonKeMankiBaat".
Friday gave no relief with weather experts predicting a similar situation due to the influence of a western disturbance, the reason behind the dense cloud cover and a dip in wind speed.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital on Friday was recorded at 482 which falls under the "Severe" category with PM10 being 504 and PM2.5 -- 332, according to the government of India's air quality information service SAFAR.
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The AQI recorded near Mathura Road in Delhi was 524 (PM10) at 6:07 am on Friday, while near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, the AQI stood at 505 (PM10)
Chandi Chowk, one of Delhi's busiest areas, recorded an AQI of 476 (PM10) and 475 ( PM2.5).
In Noida, the overall AQI was recorded at 583, while Ghaziabad, considered as the most polluted city in India, displayed an AQI of 456 (PM2.5).
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The Central Pollution Control Board Member Secretary Prashant Gargava said stubble burning contributed significantly to air pollution in Delhi this year with the share of farm fire smoke in particulate matter peaking to 44 per cent.
"Crop residue burning has contributed a lot. This year, contribution was almost 44-45 percent... bringing all the smoke to Delhi. And, we have low surface winds... nothing goes out," PTI quoted Gargava as saying.
Farmers in Punjab are uncompromisingly setting stubble or crop residue ablaze, which consequently is responsible for the plummeting air quality in national capital New Delhi.
