Delhi air pollution: In a major development, the national capital on Saturday (November 11) woke up ‘Poor’ air quality, a huge change and relief for the residents as the city had been engulfed with smog for over a week with the AQI falling consistently under the ‘Severe’ category. The city had witnessed light showers in the early hours of Friday, bringing down the AQI slightly to the ‘Very Poor’ category yesterday. The situation saw a significant improvement on Saturday morning as the city saw progress for the second straight day with various areas in the capital recording AQI under 300.
Anand Vihar recorded AQI at 295, Ashok Vihar at 199, IGI Airport T3 at 204, ITO at 263, Jahangirpuri at 250, North Campus Delhi University at 235. Some other areas which saw better air quality today are Punjabi Bagh at 244, Rohini at 224, Shadipur at 228, Sri Aurobindo Marg at 186, Patparganj at 234.
Delhi Minister reacts
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that pollution was dispersed after the rain, however, it is not known how long the rain will have an impact on the air quality in the city.
"After the rain, pollution dispersed and the wind was also blowing. It resulted in reducing pollution level by 50% from 450 (AQI) to 225 (AQI) in Delhi but it's too early to say how long this rain will have an impact..." he said.
Supreme Court’s rap
While hearing the matter related to the implementation of the odd-even scheme in Delhi, the Supreme Court also said that the pollution levels "must come down" and it "cannot await tomorrow".
Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul referred to the rain in the national capital region in the early hours of Friday and said that the people have to pray only, sometimes wind comes and helps, and sometimes rains. "God may have heard the prayers of people and intervened, no thanks to the government," Justice Kaul said.
Delhi government announces 'Diya Jalao, Patakhe nahi' campaign
The Delhi government on Friday announced the 'Diya Jalao, Patakhe nahi' campaign in the capital city.
“Today, due to the rain and wind, pollution has reduced significantly. People of nearby cities are requested to light the lamps and distribute sweets during Diwali, but do not burst firecrackers. We want the pollution level to remain good even on the next day of Diwali. The campaign of 'Diya Jalao, Patakhe nahi' is starting from today,” Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said.
He announced earlier that the Kejriwal government had delayed the postponed the implementation of the odd-even vehicle system scheme, which was scheduled to be enforced from November 13 for a week.
"An improvement is seen in the pollution level. The AQI which was 450+ has now reached around 300. The decision to implement odd-even from November 13 to 20 has been postponed. The situation would be analyzed again after Diwali," Rai said.
(With ANI inputs)
