On Sunday, air quality in the national capital worsened, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 352, indicating a ‘very poor’ status, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). This is a decline from Saturday’s average AQI of 255, which was classified as ‘poor’. In the Anand Vihar area, the AQI surged past 400, hitting 405 at 7 AM and categorized as ‘severe’, up from 367 the previous day. The AQI at Akshardham Temple was noted at 261, and Indira Gandhi International Airport recorded an AQI of 324, both falling into the ‘very poor’ category. The city was blanketed with a thick layer of smog.
Himanshu, a visitor to Delhi, expressed that the pollution felt ‘suffocating’, urging the government to take action to tackle the issue. A local cyclist shared their struggles with breathing due to the increased pollution, stating, “We cycle daily, but the pollution has made it hard for us to breathe properly. We get tired more quickly. Although we wear bandanas for protection, it’s not effective as pollution continues to rise.” The cyclist emphasized that government measures, such as halting construction and implementing an odd-even vehicle scheme, are not sufficiently addressing the problem, suggesting instead that the government should promote public transport and carpooling.
As the Diwali festival approaches, the Delhi government has implemented a ban on firecrackers until January 1 in an effort to reduce pollution levels. Meanwhile, toxic foam pollution in the Yamuna River, particularly in the Kalindi Kunj area, continues to be a significant concern. This issue has sparked heated political debate between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). BJP leader Shazia Ilmi criticized the Delhi government for its handling of the pollution crisis, pointing out the dangerous foam in the Yamuna and the resulting respiratory issues faced by residents. She mentioned that BJP leader Virendra Sachdeva fell ill after taking a dip in the river, raising questions about the use of Rs 3000 crore allocated for public health and environment.
In response, Delhi’s environment minister Gopal Rai criticized the BJP, claiming it contributes to the pollution problem and engages in theatrical gestures rather than practical solutions. He noted that while he had sent a winter action plan to the BJP President, there had been no response or suggestions received. He called for cooperation among all governmental parties to effectively address pollution issues.