A thin layer of smog blanketed the national capital on Saturday and the air quality index dropped to 226, which is in the ‘poor’ category according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Akshardham and Anand Vihar area had the highest AQI of 334 which was placed in the ‘very poor’ category, followed by AIIMS and surrounding areas with AQI of 253. The AQI at India Gate fell to 251, which was placed in the ‘poor’ category.
Resident Ashish Kumar Meena said that pollution near Akshardham area has increased significantly in the last two days, due to which the residents are facing problems. Speaking to ANI, he said, “The pollution level has increased a lot here in the last two days. It is causing suffocation in the throat, difficulty in breathing and burning sensation in the eyes. After Diwali, the pollution level will increase further. The government needs to take steps to control the pollution levels. Those who are burning the substance should be fined. People who have respiratory problems will be facing a lot of problems.”
Another resident said that people should use public transport more, which would help reduce pollution. “People should use public transport more and try to use carpooling. This will help reduce pollution levels in the city,” he said.
On October 18, Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala reached ‘Smog Tower’ to protest on this issue. Taking aim at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the BJP leader said Arvind Kejriwal has betrayed the people of the national capital in the name of air pollution and now their health has been put at risk.
Poonawalla said, “Today Delhi has become a gas chamber because of the politics of accusation and counter-accusation of the Aam Aadmi Party. They had made big promises that they will make Delhi pollution free. Look at the condition of Yamuna today and Delhi has become a gas chamber. Aam Aadmi Party bans firecrackers on Diwali, but the smog tower on which Rs 23 crore was spent has been locked… The way Aam Aadmi Party cheated people in the name of pollution. And is working to make Delhi the most poisonous and polluted city, it will be exposed.”
