Delhi was once again wrapped in a blanket of smog and pollution on Sunday morning. According to available information, till 9 am the average AQI of the city was recorded at 268, which falls in the ‘poor’ category. This figure is less than Saturday’s 305 and is considered to be the first significant decline in pollution levels after almost 24 days.
Still, the air remains very bad in many areas of the capital. Shadipur’s AQI was recorded at 331, RK Puram 303 and Jahangirpuri 323, all of which fall in the ‘very poor’ category. The index of Nehru Nagar was 316 and that of Dilshad Garden was 304. Whereas Anand Vihar remained in ‘poor’ category with 282 and Patparganj with 280. In NCR, Faridabad stood at 174, while Noida was at 266 and Ghaziabad at 260.
Let us tell you that according to CPCB standards, AQI level 0–50 is considered ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’ and 401–500 ‘severe’. It is noteworthy that AQI remained above 300 in Delhi for 23 consecutive days till November 29, which is one of the longest periods after 2019.
Meanwhile, citizens’ groups in Delhi are taking to the streets again amid poor air quality and rising health concerns. An appeal has been made to protest against pollution at Jantar Mantar on 30th November from 2 to 5 pm. A post on social media said that Delhiites are breathing dust, losing sunlight and are forced to live amid noise, hence people have been appealed to join in.
In this series, a big civil demonstration is being organized at Jantar Mantar on 3rd December also. Many social organizations like My Right to Breathe and Warriors Moms have said that they will participate in it. Congress-backed NSUI has also announced its support. The post states that Delhi is still suffocating in “dangerous” air and the situation has become more worrying after the temporary measures like GRP were lifted.
Efforts to increase public awareness against pollution are intensifying. Let us tell you that a few days ago, on the evening of 23rd November, citizens had gathered at India Gate, however, the atmosphere became tense after some protesters complained of pepper spray during the removal of the police. This entire development has further intensified the debate on both Delhi’s air and civil unrest.