Just 4 days before Diwali, pollution levels across the country have reached alarming levels. According to AQI.in, 11 cities across the country recorded AQI levels above 300 till 10 am on Sunday. These include Bhiwadi, Delhi, Noida, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Jaipur, Bulandshahr, Amritsar, Aligarh, Sonipat and Faridabad.
Rajasthan's Bhiwadi was in the worst position with an AQI of 610. Delhi has also become a gas chamber, with AQI above 400 in Anand Vihar here on Sunday morning.
Even in Agra, the Taj Mahal was dimly visible due to pollution and smog. A layer of fog was also seen in Mumbai's Marine Drive in the morning.
Firecrackers banned in Delhi till 1 January 2025 Here, to control air pollution in Delhi ahead of Diwali, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has banned firecrackers till January 1, 2025. Manufacturing, storage, sale and use of firecrackers is prohibited as per government orders. Not only this, online delivery of firecrackers has also been banned. This also includes green crackers. Delhi Police has been entrusted with the responsibility of strictly enforcing this ban. Delhi Police will submit its daily report to DPCC.
Grape-1 was implemented in the capital city of Delhi Grape-1 was implemented in Delhi NCR after Delhi's Air Quality Index crossed 200. Under this, use of coal and wood is prohibited in hotels and restaurants. The Commission of Air Quality Management has directed agencies to strictly monitor old petrol and diesel vehicles (BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel).
The commission has also asked agencies to increase the use of anti-smog guns, water sprinklers and dust repellent technology in road construction, renovation projects and maintenance activities.
4 pictures related to pollution across the country…
Agra- The Taj Mahal was dimly visible due to the fog that had gathered around it.
MUMBAI- People coming here for a morning walk were disturbed due to fog in Marine Drive.
Arvind Vihar- Conditions in Delhi are bad, there is fog outside the airport.
Delhi- To reduce dust particles in the air. PWD vehicles are spraying.
What is AQI and why are high levels dangerous? AQI is a type of thermometer. It measures pollution rather than temperature. Through this scale, the amount of CO (Carbon Dioxide), Ozone, NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide), PM 2.5 (Particulate Matter) and PM 10 pollutants present in the air is checked and shown in readings ranging from zero to 500.
The higher the amount of pollutants in the air, the higher the AQI level. And the higher the AQI, the more dangerous the air. Although an AQI between 200 and 300 is also considered bad, the situation is such that it has gone above 300 in many cities in Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. This increasing AQI is not just a number. This is also a sign of fear of upcoming illnesses.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
