Delhi’s AQI crossed 400 on Diwali night; crackers were burst despite the ban, 9 of the 10 most polluted cities in the country are in UP
The air of the capital Delhi has once again become poisonous. Here the Real Time Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 400 late night. On November 1, at around 6 am, Delhi AQI was recorded at 391. Talking about the 10 most polluted cities of the country, 9 of them are from Uttar Pradesh. The highest AQI of 388 was recorded in Sambhal, UP.
On the day of Diwali (31 October) in Delhi, the real time AQI was recorded at 5 pm. That is, in just 10-12 hours, the air went from normal to very bad category.
Despite the ban in Delhi, firecrackers were burst The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) had banned firecrackers till January 1, 2025. There is a ban on making, storing, selling and using firecrackers. Their online delivery was also banned, yet fireworks took place.
GRAP-1 was implemented in Delhi on 14 October. After Delhi’s Air Quality Index crossed 200, GRAP-1 was implemented in Delhi NCR on 14 October. Under this, there is a ban on the use of coal and firewood in hotels and restaurants. The Commission of Air Quality Management has ordered the agencies to strictly monitor the operation of old petrol and diesel vehicles (BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel).
The commission has also asked the agencies to increase the use of anti-smog guns, water sprinkling and dust repellent techniques in road construction, renovation projects and maintenance activities.
Permission to burst only green crackers in Punjab The Punjab government had said about 15 days ago that permission will be given to burst only green crackers during Diwali, Guruparv, Christmas and New Year celebrations. Green crackers are those that do not contain barium salts or compounds of antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead or strontium chromate.
What is AQI and why is its high level dangerous? AQI is a kind of thermometer. It only measures pollution instead of temperature. Through this scale, the amount of CO (carbon dioxide), OZONE, (ozone) NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), PM 2.5 (particulate matter) and PM 10 pollutants present in the air is checked and it is shown in readings from zero to 500.
The higher the amount of pollutants in the air, the higher will be the AQI level. And the higher the AQI, the more dangerous the air. Although AQI between 200 to 300 is also considered bad, but the current situation is that it has gone above 300 in many cities of Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. This increasing AQI is not just a number. It is also an indication of the danger of upcoming diseases.
