Days before Diwali, air quality poor

Four days before Diwali (October 19), the air quality in the national Capital on Sunday continued to remain 'poor', with some parts of the city even reporting bursting of firecrackers.

The air quality index of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at its four major monitoring stations was as follows: Anand Vihar (213), IGIA (131), Income Tax office (139.1), and Mandir Marg (132.82).

The values are based on the level of PM 2.5 (measured in micrograms per cubic metre), the most prominent pollutant in Delhi.

What is even more alarming is that scientists warn of the air quality getting worse in the coming days, due to meteorological conditions. The wind speed falls drastically in winters, which does not allow pollutants in the air to get dispersed and they remain hanging in the air.

"This has led to PM 2.5 level shooting up significantly over the past week. The air quality is to deteriorate further, in case the wind speed decreases," said Vivek Chattopadhyaya, senior scientist, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain reviewed the ambient air quality levels in the city last week. In a meeting with senior officers of the department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the minister directed that strict vigil be kept to check any type of open burning in the city, so that local contribution to air pollution can be avoided.Also, despite the Supreme Court ban on sale of firecrackers, some shops in Old Delhi's Jama Masjid and Sadar Bazaar areas continued to sell stocked crackers.