Delhi’s Air Quality Struggles: Residents Voice Concerns Amidst Rising Pollution
On October 26, the air quality in Delhi showed a slight improvement compared to the previous day, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 237, still categorized as ‘Poor’ by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). Despite this, a layer of smog covered parts of the city.
The AQI on Friday was 283. In ITI Jahangirpuri, the AQI was 265, while around India Gate, it was 237, both in the ‘poor’ category. However, the AQI at India Gate had improved slightly from 276 on Friday. In contrast, Anand Vihar’s AQI worsened, rising to 367 from 218 the previous day.
Residents of Delhi expressed concerns about the pollution. Kalyani Twiari, a local resident, reported headaches and breathing issues, urging the government to clean rivers and take action before upcoming festivals. Rakesh Kumar, another resident, worried about the pollution worsening after Diwali.
Delhi’s environment minister, Gopal Rai, announced that the government would monitor pollution hotspots using drones. He visited the Wazirpur industrial area, one of 13 hotspots, to oversee efforts to control pollution, including vehicle emissions and biomass burning.
Meanwhile, incidents of stubble burning were reported in Haryana and Punjab, despite the Supreme Court’s criticism of state governments for inadequate action. Stubble burning was observed in Kaithal district and on the Karnal-Jind road.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi -: Delhi is the capital city of India, known for its rich history and cultural heritage. It is also one of the most populated cities in the country.
Air Quality -: Air quality refers to how clean or polluted the air is. It is important because it affects our health and the environment.
AQI -: AQI stands for Air Quality Index. It is a number used to communicate how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become.
Smog -: Smog is a type of air pollution that looks like a thick fog. It is caused by smoke and other pollutants in the air.
Environment Minister -: The Environment Minister is a government official responsible for protecting the environment and addressing issues like pollution.
Gopal Rai -: Gopal Rai is a politician in India who serves as the Environment Minister of Delhi. He works on policies to improve the environment in the city.
Drone Monitoring -: Drone monitoring involves using flying devices called drones to observe and collect data from the air. It helps in identifying pollution hotspots.
Anand Vihar -: Anand Vihar is a locality in Delhi known for its bus terminal and railway station. It often experiences high levels of air pollution.
Stubble Burning -: Stubble burning is the practice of setting fire to the straw left after harvesting crops. It is common in Haryana and Punjab and contributes to air pollution.
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest judicial court in India. It makes important decisions on legal and constitutional matters.
Haryana and Punjab -: Haryana and Punjab are states in northern India. They are known for agriculture, and stubble burning is a common practice there.