Delhi's air quality in 'very poor' category; residents urge government to act soon

There is a slight dip in the pollution levels in Delhi on Tuesday morning with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recording 394 on Tuesday morning, putting the national capital in the 'very poor' category. This is a marginal improvement from the 421 (severe) recorded on Monday evening. 

Despite this, the concentration of PM 2.5 fine particulate matter capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory system and triggering health problems exceeded the government-prescribed safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by seven to eight times in the capital. It was 30 to 40 times the healthy limit of 15 micrograms per cubic metre set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Many residents complained of experiencing breathing troubles and eye problems. "There is irritation in the eyes, and the breathing rate has increased. The situation is dangerous. The government is doing nothing for this. They should come forward and take all possible measures," a man who was out for a morning walk told ANI. 

Another resident said the smog was getting worse day by day. "Somehow we are managing. Something needs to be done by the government," he added. 

Doctors say prolonged exposure to high levels of pollution can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and can dramatically raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Several cities in neighbouring Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have also reported hazardous air quality. Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 338, Gurugram 364, Noida 348, Greater Noida 439 and Faridabad 382.

According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi-NCR, the region is likely to experience severe air quality for another five to six days.

The worsening situation in the NCR region has also prompted the authorities in Gurugram and Faridabad to shut the schools till November 12. 

Faridabad’s deputy commissioner Vikram Singh has also ordered the closure of schools till November 12 for children from class one to five from Tuesday. Online classes will be conducted for the children, said the District Administration.

"All pre-schools, pre-primary, and primary classes in physical form are ordered to be discontinued from November 7, 2023, till further orders in Faridabad district. This applies to both private and government schools", the order from the Faridabad administration said.

"The suspension of offline classes will remain in effect until further orders. The situation will be continuously monitored and decisions regarding the resumption of offline classes will be made based on the prevailing air quality conditions and government directions", it added.