Air quality ‘severe’ in Noida and Ghaziabad

NOIDA/GHAZIABAD: Even though Diwali is a week away, the twin cities Noida and Ghaziabad breathes season's worst air on Tuesday. The Air Quality Index (AQI), a measure of pollutants in the air on the scale of 0 to 500, spiked to 419 qualifying as ‘severe' on Tuesday morning in Noida while the air quality in Ghaziabad continued to remain in the severe category for consecutive fourth day with AQI index recorded at 443 causing serious breathing issues and lowering the visibility.

On Tuesday morning a layer of fog enveloped parts of the Noida and Ghaziabad as pollution figures entered severe category and particulate content crossed the emergency level. Met department officials said the morning haze was a result of increased particulate matters due to low air speed leading to smog-like conditions.

“The air pollution in the city and nearby regions has reached to alarming levels which is a big reason to worry. We have written a letter to Noida authority to implement precautionary measures and put in necessary efforts to control air pollution,” said Anil Kumar Singh, regional officer, Uttar Pradesh Pollu- tion Control Board (UPPCB). Both the Noida and Ghaziabad administration have ordered suspension of all private construction activities till November 10. “Since the AQI was found to be falling in the severe category, we have ordered suspension of all the private construction in the city. Apart from this we have ordered water sprinkling on all the pollution stretches and directed the officials of all work circles to keep a watch on all activities which may further deteriorate the air quality,” said Rakesh Kumar Mishra, Additional Chief Executive Officer (ACEO), Noida Authority.

Meanwhile, the people with respiratory issues are gasping for breath as the severe air quality.

The family of a 14-monthold Samar Mathur, who live in Noida Sector 51 (Kendriya Vihar) are forced to leave the city on Diwali as the child is facing serious breathing issues.

“My child has bronchitis problem by birth and inhaling of highly pollutants is life threatening for him. It was never as serious as it is now. From last week, he does not feel comfortable in breathing and we keep running to the doctors,” said Tripti Mathur, Samar's mother. “At the end we have decided to take him away from here till the air quality get back to its normal situation. Even the doctors at Fortis Hospital advised us that it would be better if e take him away from the city for now,” she said.