Delhi pollution update: AQI in the city drops to 226; residents suffer from respiratory problems

A thin layer of smog engulfed the national capital on Saturday as the air quality index fell to 226, categorized as ‘poor’ according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

The highest AQI was in Akshardham and Anand Vihar area at 334, categorized as ‘very poor’, followed by AQI of 253 at AIIMS and surrounding areas.

At India Gate, the AQI dropped to 251, categorized as ‘Poor’.

A resident, Ashish Kumar Meena, said pollution near Akshardham had increased a lot in the last two days, causing problems for residents.

Speaking to ANI, 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 problems and also causes irritation in the eyes. After Diwali, pollution levels will increase. more. The government must take steps to control the level of pollution. People who burn substances in the fire should be fined.

Another resident said people should use more public transport, which would help reduce pollution.

“People should use public transport more and try carpooling. This would help reduce pollution levels in the city,” he said.

On October 18, Bharartiya Janata National Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla reached the ‘Smog Tower’ to protest about this. The BJP leader criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and said Arvind Kejriwal had cheated the people of the national capital in the name of air pollution as their health has been put at risk.

“Today Delhi has become a gas chamber because of the debt politics of Aam Aadmi Party. They had made big promises of making Delhi pollution free. Look at the condition of Yamuna today and Delhi has become a gas chamber. Aam Aadmi Party Bans fireworks on Diwali, but the smog tower on which Rs 23 crore was spent is locked… The way Aam Aadmi Party has cheated people in the name of pollution and is working to make Delhi the most toxic and polluted city, this one will be exposed,” Poonawalla said.