Bahadurgarh Breathes India's Most Toxic Air
The industrial town of Bahadurgarh in Haryana earned the dubious distinction of having the worst air quality in the entire country on Sunday, recording a severe Air Quality Index (AQI) of 439. Located adjacent to Delhi, this marks the fourth time this month that Bahadurgarh has been plunged into the 'severe' category, having previously recorded alarming AQI levels of 466 on November 13, 421 on November 11, and 436 on November 9.
National Capital Region Grapples with Toxic Air
According to the 4 PM data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) covering the previous 24 hours, only two other cities joined Bahadurgarh in the 'severe' category. Both Ghaziabad and Greater Noida registered an AQI of 419, which was still notably lower than Bahadurgarh's peak. Meanwhile, Delhi itself recorded an AQI of 386, placing it in the 'very poor' bracket.
The pollution crisis extends far beyond these hotspots. Several cities across Haryana continue to struggle with dangerously poor air quality long after the peak farm fire season has subsided. Sonipat (370), Gurgaon (305), Fatehabad (336), Bhiwani (325), and Dharuhera (302) all recorded AQI levels in the 'very poor' category. A longer list of towns, including Ambala, Faridabad, Jind, and Rohtak, found themselves in the 'poor' AQI category.
Administrative Actions and Health Measures
In response to the persistent health hazard, the Rohtak district administration has taken a significant step by authorizing hybrid classes for students up to class 5. An official order from the Deputy Commissioner cited the consistently 'very poor' air quality and stated that the decision was made in the interest of children's health and safety. The option for online education, where feasible, is now available to parents and guardians.
In a parallel disciplinary action, the Jind police department suspended ten police personnel for their alleged failure to control incidents of stubble burning in their assigned areas. This move comes as Jind reported 15 cases of stubble burning on Sunday alone—the highest single-day count among all 22 districts in Haryana. A total of 46 farm fire cases were reported across the state.
Behind the Persistent Haze
A senior officer from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board provided context, noting that while the current season has seen 563 stubble burning cases, this is a significant reduction from the 1,035 cases reported during the same period last year. The officer affirmed the state's goal is to bring this number down to zero.
The official also explained that other factors are now contributing to the trapped pollution. Increased vehicular movement due to the ongoing wedding season is generating both exhaust emissions and dust. Industrial pollution remains a constant contributor. A critical factor is the meteorological condition of stagnant air, which prevents the dispersal of pollutants. Authorities anticipate some relief once wind patterns change and air begins to move again, offering a natural cleansing mechanism for the region's toxic atmosphere.
