Pollution level at 5-yr low: Kejriwal
NEW DELHI: Air pollution level in the national capital on the Diwali night was the “lowest” in the last five years as there was relatively lesser bursting of firecrackers, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed on Monday.
His remarks came even as the national capital’s air quality dropped to the season’s worst on the morning after Diwali, though government agencies said the situation was still better than previous years.
The national capital was, however, enveloped in a haze as some revellers shamelessly flouting the Supreme Court-enforced two-hour limit for bursting crackers.
According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality monitor, SAFAR, levels of PM2.5 tiny particulate matter of diameter 2.5 or less than 2.5 microns that can enter deep into the lungs reached as high as 735 at Delhi University.
Delhi’s overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 463 at 11.30 am, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
Addressing a press conference here, the chief minister said on Monday the government has received masks and would distribute them in a few days.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Environ
» Delhi Chief Minister also appreciated people for their efforts to reduce pollution
ment Minister Kailash Gahlot said the air quality level post-diwali this year seems much better than what it was after the festival in 2018.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee on Monday said fewer
» On Sunday night, people reported a violation of the Supreme Courtenforced two-hour window in Malviya Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Kailash Hills, and Burari
fireworks, rigorous night patrolling and enforcement measures to curb instigators reduced the PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 30 per cent on Diwali night this year when compared to 2018.
» After last year’s Diwali, Delhi’s AQI had crossed the 600-mark, which is 12 times the safe limit
“We aim to eliminate pollution from Delhi. I am glad that the people of Delhi have attended and enjoyed the Diwali laser show organised at Connaught Place. People are turning up in huge numbers. Next year, we will organise laser show at various locations in Delhi,” Kejriwal said.
The chief minister said that the AAP dispensation is going to implement the odd-even road rationing scheme from November 4-15, add
ing his government and Delhiites are trying everything they could to control pollution. He also said the government is committed to implementing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and will take strict action against violators.
Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event here, Gahlot said people are also telling that fewer crackers have been used this time compared to last year.
The satellite towns of Ghaziabad (378), Greater Noida (364), Gurgaon (359) and Noida (375) recorded their AQI in the very poor category, according to CPCB data.
On Sunday night, people reported a violation of the Supreme Court-enforced two-hour window in Malviya Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Kailash Hills, Burari, Jangpura, Shahdara, Laxmi Nagar, Mayur Vihar, Sarita Vihar, Hari Nagar, New Friends Colony, Hauz Khas, Gautam Nagar, Dwarka among others places.
Residents in Noida, Greater Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Faridabad also reported extensive fireworks much beyond the timeframe.
After last year’s Diwali, Delhi’s AQI had crossed the 600-mark, which is 12 times the safe limit. The AQI post-diwali was 367 in 2017 and 425 in 2016.