As the sun dawned on Saturday morning, Delhi and its surrounding areas witnessed a slight respite in their battle against air pollution. The air quality index (AQI) for the city recorded a commendable improvement, transitioning from the severe category to very poor, with a marked drop from the previous day’s 461 to the current 398. While this shift provides a glimmer of relief, the air quality in the national capital remains entrenched in the very poor category.
At 7:15 am on Saturday, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India) reported an AQI of 398 in Ghazipur. Despite this marginal improvement, citizens continue to voice their concerns over the persistent challenges posed by compromised air quality, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and children.
Morning walkers, braving the outdoor environment, expressed the tangible difficulties in breathing and highlighted the adverse health effects of the current toxic air. One individual, speaking to ANI, succinctly noted, “There is a lot of pollution in the air, which is giving us health problems.”
In response to the escalating air pollution crisis, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai sought the intervention of the Center on Friday to address the city’s deteriorating air quality. Rai emphasized that this challenge extends beyond Delhi, impacting regions across North India, including 12 districts in neighboring Haryana, 14 places in Rajasthan, and various districts in Western Uttar Pradesh. Rai called for a crucial meeting between the Union Environment Minister and state Environment Ministers to collectively address the situation.
In a proactive measure, a 6-member special task force, led by the Special Secretary, was established earlier on Thursday to rigorously enforce restrictions on activities contributing to air pollution. Despite these efforts, the battle for clean air in Delhi persists, urging authorities and citizens alike to join forces for a sustainable solution.
