A thick layer of fog has enveloped parts of the national capital as air pollution levels continue to rise. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar recorded a concerning 454 at 8:30 AM, placing it in the ‘Severe’ category.
In other areas, the AQI in Dwarka Sector 8 reached 311, categorized as ‘Very Poor,’ while ITO recorded an AQI of 232, which falls under the ‘Poor’ category. Jahangirpuri reported an AQI of 350, also classified as ‘Very Poor,’ and Nehru Park noted a level of 254, marked as ‘Poor.’
Residents have commented on the cold weather and increasing pollution levels, advising the use of masks to combat the air quality issues. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI in the ‘Severe’ category can harm even healthy individuals and severely impact those with pre-existing health conditions. An AQI classified as ‘Poor’ can lead to breathing discomfort for many with prolonged exposure, while levels deemed ‘Very Poor’ can cause respiratory illnesses.
In recent days, toxic foam has been visibly accumulating in the Yamuna River near the Kalindi Kunj area. On Saturday, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla visited the Yamuna bank to criticize the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alleging that the policies of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have made both the water and air in Delhi toxic. He challenged Kejriwal and his party members to take a dip in the polluted river.
Poonawalla stated that the Yamuna has become highly polluted, criticizing Kejriwal’s promises to clean the river by 2025 after previous claims of 2020. He argued that the funds allocated for cleaning have been mismanaged for advertising and personal gain.
In response, AAP leader and Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai accused the BJP of failing to address air pollution effectively. Rai emphasized the need for collective efforts to tackle the crisis, criticizing BJP-led governments in neighboring states and at the national level for their inaction. He stressed that pollution is a serious issue that requires cooperation across all levels of government.
