New Delhi. Just four days before Diwali, air pollution has reached record levels in many states and dozens of cities across the country. The air quality index in Delhi and the National Capital Region has crossed the limit of three hundred and reached the very poor category and it is feared that it will reach dangerous levels in the next four days. After the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds three hundred, the second phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented in Delhi.
According to a report, on Sunday, October 27, the air quality index (AQI) exceeded three hundred in at least 25 cities of the country. These include both the capital Delhi as well as Ghaziabad and Noida. In most of the cities of Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, AQI has crossed the limit of three hundred. Bhiwadi in Haryana, adjacent to Delhi, was the most polluted city in the country on Sunday. AQI reached 610 in Bhiwadi. This is a category above dangerous.
The temperature is not decreasing in the capital Delhi and the air quality index has reached four hundred at many places. Due to this Delhi has become a gas chamber. On Sunday morning, AQI was recorded at more than four hundred in Anand Vihar. On Sunday morning, such pictures emerged in which the Taj Mahal appeared blurry due to pollution and smog in Agra. A layer of dust and smoke was also seen in Mumbai’s Marine Drive in the morning. This situation was four days before Diwali. There may be a big increase in it after Diwali in the next four days.
Meanwhile, to keep air pollution under control in Delhi before Diwali, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, DPCC has banned firecrackers till January 1, 2025. According to government orders, there is a ban on making, storing, selling and using firecrackers. Not only this, online delivery of firecrackers will also be banned. This also includes green crackers. The responsibility of strictly enforcing this ban has been entrusted to Delhi Police. Delhi Police will submit its report to DPCC daily.
After AQI crossed 300 in Delhi, the second phase of GRAP has been implemented in Delhi and NCR. Under this, many types of restrictions have been imposed. Water is being sprinkled on the roads to reduce dust. Dust repellent is also being used. There is a complete ban on burning any kind of biomass.