New Delhi: As Delhi grapples with rising air pollution, toxic foam was seen floating on the Yamuna River in the Kalindi Kunj area on Saturday.
A thin layer of smog engulfed the national capital as the Air Quality Index dropped to 226 at 8 am, categorized as 'Poor' by the Central Pollution Control Board.
The highest AQI
The highest AQI was at the Akshardham and Anand Vihar area at 334 at 8 am, categorized as 'Very Poor', followed by an AQI of 253 at AIIMS and surrounding areas.
At India Gate, the AQI dropped to 251 at 8 am, categorized as 'Poor.'
As per the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI when marked under the 'Poor' category can cause breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure, whereas, when under the 'Very poor' category can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
A resident, Ashish Kumar Meena said that pollution near the Akshardham area had increased a lot in the past two days which had been causing problems to the residents.
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Hike in pollution level
Speaking, he said "The pollution level here has increased a lot in the last two days. It has led to choking in the throat and breathing issues and has also been irritating the eyes. After Diwali, the pollution levels will increase more.
The government needs to take steps to control the level of pollution. People who are burning substances in the fire should be punished with fines. The ones who have respiratory problems must be suffering so much."
Another resident said that people should use more public transport which would help in reducing pollution.
"People should use more public transport and try to engage in the practice of carpooling. This would help in reducing the pollution levels in the city," he said.
Earlier on Friday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the air quality is deteriorating as winter approaches the national capital.
The highest AQI was reported in Wazirpur. The Ministr further informed that the concerned authorities have been instructed to find out the local sources behind the deteriorating air quality.
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Poor category in Delhi
"Winter is coming and the level of air pollution is increasing. The level has reached the poor category in Delhi. There are 13 hotspots in Delhi where AQI has crossed 300- Wazirpur, Mundka, Rohini, Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar, Dwarka Sector-8, Bawana, Narela, Vivek Vihar, Okhla Phase 2, Punjabi Bagh, Ashok Vihar and RK Puram. The AQI level was highest in Wazirpur...
We have instructed the authorities to find out the local sources behind it," Rai said in a press conference.
Earlier, countering the Bharatiya Janata Party over the air pollution in the national capital, Gopal Rai on Friday said that the opposition has no right to comment on this as the BJP government is sleeping in UP, Haryana, Rajasthan and the centre. (with Agency inputs)
