Delhi Chokes as Pollution Crisis Enters Tenth Day
The national capital continues to gasp for breath as Delhi's air pollution crisis shows no signs of abatement. For the tenth consecutive day, the city has been grappling with 'very poor' air quality, with the situation turning critical in several areas. According to the latest data, 14 out of 39 monitoring stations across Delhi recorded air quality in the 'severe' category, pushing the overall 24-hour average AQI to a worrying 380.
Critical Hotspots: Where the Air is Most Toxic
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, recorded at 5:00 AM, painted a grim picture of the city's air. The following locations were among the worst affected, with AQI levels breaching the dangerous 400 mark:
- Anand Vihar
- Ashok Vihar
- Bawana
- Burari Crossing
- Mundka
- Narela
- Nehru Nagar
- North Campus
- Punjabi Bagh
- Rohini
- Sonia Vihar
- Vivek Vihar
- Wazirpur
The situation was particularly alarming in Wazirpur and Vivek Vihar, where AQI readings skyrocketed to the 440-450 range, indicating a severe health risk for residents. In a stark contrast, Mandir Marg was the only station that reported the least polluted air, yet it remained in the 'poor' category with an AQI of 298.
Enforcement Drive in Sonipat Uncovers Widespread Violations
Amid the ongoing pollution emergency, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is actively cracking down on norm violators. As part of its "Operation Clean Air," the commission conducted a major inspection drive in Haryana's Sonipat on November 21. The results were concerning. Out of 101 sites inspected, a significant 29 units were found to be flouting the CAQM's pollution control guidelines, highlighting the challenges in enforcing environmental norms in the larger National Capital Region.
The persistent toxic smog enveloping Delhi underscores the urgent need for sustained and stringent measures to tackle the sources of pollution and protect public health.
