Smog engulfs Delhi-NCR…
On Saturday, 19 October 2024, a thin layer of smog engulfed the National Capital and surrounding areas as the winter season approached.
The air quality entered the 'Poor' category.
While Delhi Air Quality Index stood at 273, Ghaziabad was at 246 and Noida at 228 at 8.20 am.
According to news agency ANI, the highest AQI in Delhi was at the Akshardham and Anand Vihar area, at 334, categorized as 'Very Poor', followed by 253 at AIIMS and surrounding areas. At India Gate, the AQI dropped to 251, categorized as 'Poor'.
Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday held an emergency meeting with all concerned officials regarding this issue.
In the National Capital, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the air quality is deteriorating as winter approaches. He said the concerned authorities have been instructed to find the local sources behind the worst air quality.
"Winter is coming and the level of air pollution is increasing. The level has reached the poor category in Delhi. There are 13 hotspots in Delhi where AQI has crossed 300- Wazirpur, Mundka, Rohini, Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar, Dwarka Sector-8, Bawana, Narela, Vivek Vihar, Okhla Phase 2, Punjabi Bagh, Ashok Vihar and RK Puram. The AQI level was highest in Wazirpur," Mr. Rai said in a press conference.
Mr. Rai also hit out at the BJP’s criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party's handling of the air pollution in Delhi. He said that the opposition has no right to comment on this as the BJP government is sleeping in UP, Haryana, Rajasthan, and at the Centre.
Edited By: Tanvi Walia
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