Delhites experience poor AQI as summer and lockdown bids goodbye

NEW DELHI: Data released by Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) categorised air quality in Delhi as ‘poor.’ The Air Quality Index (AQI) was cited at 275 in Anand Vihar and ITO and at 263 in Rohini. According to the report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI was marginally better on Sunday, with reading at 216.

In a bid to monitor air contamination levels in the capital, the Delhi government is setting ‘green war rooms’ at Delhi Secretariat. Gopal Rai, Minister of Environment, Government of Delhi, said, “The control room will work towards ensuring stricter enforcement of guidelines to check pollution at ready-mix concrete plants, construction and demolition sites, and garbage burning.” In addition to this, the government will also work towards implementing stricter rules for controlling air pollution in Delhi from October 15 as part of Delhi’s Graded Response Action Plan.

The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority has directed the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to ban the use of diesel altogether, except for the use in essential services.