Delhi Tightens Pollution Curbs as AQI Slips Back to ‘Very Poor’
Delhi has enforced a ban on open burning and coal-firewood tandoors as air quality remains very poor, with AQI levels crossing 370 in several areas.
With air pollution concerns mounting in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday announced that authorities have been instructed to enforce a complete ban on open burning. Delhi government has imposed a strict ban on the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at all hotels, restaurants and street food outlets in Delhi. If anyone caught burning garbage in the open can be fined up to 5000 by the district administration and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has urged people to not to burn waste in open areas, saying that small actions by citizens can help the quality of air.
Delhi chief minister also said that the district administration and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) can impose a fine of up to ₹5,000 on anyone found burning garbage in the open. "We humbly request all citizens not to burn waste in the open. Your small cooperation can bring about a big change," Rekha Gupta said in a tweet.
The air quality of Delhi is still very polluted. Today, on Friday the Air Quality Index (AQI) was around 329, indicating the air is unhealthy especially for children and elderly people and those with breathing problems.
AQI turns "very poor" again
Today morning the AQI was 371 which comes under “very poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The worst most affected area in the city was Jahangirpuri with an AQI of 405 which falls under “severe” category.
Due to heavy smog and light fog, the visibility was low in many parts of the city. The AQI in Anand Vihar was 395, Vivek Vihar AQI 393, Ashok Vihar 382, Bawana 373, NSIT Dwarka 388, Rohini 385, Wazirpur 397, Chandni Chowk 368, and DTU 371. The AQI was also high in surrounding regions. At Noida sector 116, an AQI was 400, average AQI at Noida was 360. At greater Noida, an AQI was 343. At Uttar Pradesh and Meerut, average AQI 374. Ghaziabad had maximum AQI 427.
The India Meteorological Department said that there would be partially cloudy skies and light to moderate fog at times in the morning. The temperature in Delhi likely to remain at 7 to 9 degrees Celsius in the morning and 23 to 25 degrees Celsius at other times. All these conditions are normal.
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