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New Delhi: Pollution is increasing in many states and one of these cities is Delhi where the Air Quality Index (AQI) is very poor and worrying. The air quality in Delhi prevails in the ‘very poor’ category for the fifth straight day on Wednesday as the overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 373, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Fog engulfed the national capital and its suburbs on Tuesday as the city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 350, the highest so far this season. It was 347 on Monday and 325 on Sunday, according to data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The AQI level had entered into a ‘severe’ zone in some parts of the city on Monday. Delhi’s Jahangirpuri recorded the season’s highest AQI at 566 in the ‘Dangerous’ category on Sunday. Delhi and its surrounding areas are currently grappling with a range of air quality conditions.
Meanwhile, in the financial capital, Mumbai, the air quality was in the ‘moderate’ category with the AQI at 173.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.
In view of worsening air quality, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan governments to file affidavits enumerating measures initiated by them to control air pollution.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice SK Kaul directed the five states to file affidavits within a week.
“The concerned states should file an affidavit setting forth what steps they have taken to redeem the position. We call upon the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to file an affidavit within a week,” the bench, also comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and P K Mishra, said while posting the matter for further hearing on November 7.
The bench said crop burning is one of the main reasons for air pollution in Delhi.
The top court had earlier sought a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on steps being taken to control air pollution in and around Delhi.
Only CNG, electric buses allowed in Delhi-NCR
In a bid to tackle air pollution and promote eco-friendly transport, the Delhi government has issued a directive that is set to change the way buses enter the national capital. Delhi government has ordered that all buses coming to the national capital from Haryana will have to run on electric, CNG or BS-VI diesel, while buses from the NCR regions of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan need to follow these norms while coming to the city from Wednesday.
The measure aims to battle the air pollution caused by the diesel-powered buses operating in the region, with the ultimate goal of transitioning to electric vehicles. In a circular issued to Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the transport department shared the guidelines for buses that will come into effect from Wednesday.
