The Asian Age

Haze engulfs Delhi as worst pollution of season recorded

Dip due to constructi­on dust, vehicular pollution

- AGE CORRESPOND­ENT

New Delhi: A haze engulfed Delhi, which continued to battle dangerous levels of pollution, as it recorded the worst air quality of this season during the day Sunday, officials said. The overall Air Quality Index of New Delhi was recorded at 381 Sunday morning which falls in the very poor quality, according to data of the Central Pollution Control Board.

Delhi recorded its worst air quality of this season on Sunday as a thick haze engulfed the national capital which continued to grapple with deteriorat­ing air quality.

The overall air quality index ( AQI) of the national capital was recorded at 381 which falls in the very poor category, the highest of this season and just points below severe pollution level, according to data by the Central Pollution Control Board.

Twelve pollution monitoring stations located in various parts of Delhi recorded severe air quality while 20 stations recorded very poor air quality, according to data by the Central Pollution Control Board.

Authoritie­s attribute the dip in air quality to localised factors like constructi­on dust, vehicular pollution as well as regional factors like pollution due stubble burning from Punjab and Haryana.

A thick haze due to smog engulfed the national capital which recorded the worst air quality of this season, authoritie­s said.

A CPCB- led task force has recommende­d to Supreme Court- appointed Environmen­t Pollution Control Authority implementa­tion of stringent measures from November 1 to 10, predicting further deteriorat­ion in the air quality ahead of Diwali.

Some of these recommenda­tions include shut down of coal and biomass factories, intensific­ation of inspection by transport department to check polluting vehicles and control traffic congestion in Delhi- NCR during November 1- 10.

The task force also issued an advisory to the public, asking them to avoid outdoor strenuous activities and minimise use of private vehicles.

The task force also warned that at beginning of November the situation may get further deteriorat­ed on account of localised emissions during festival and regional contributi­on due to stubble burning.

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