Air emergency: AQI still remains in ‘severe’ zone while the city chokes on smog

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that on Wednesday, the air quality in the nation’s capital remained classified as “severe,” with a thick, toxic haze, or “smog,” hanging heavy over the city. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 452 in Anand Vihar, 433, 460, 382, and 413 at RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, Sri Aurobindo Marg, and Shadipur, all of which were classified as “severe” according to the data provided by the CPCB. Numerous citizens and commuters in the nation’s capital reported experiencing respiratory issues and urged the relevant authorities and government to take immediate action to stop the out-of-control air pollution.

Gulab Singh Shukla, another resident, said, “The deteriorating air quality is proving to be a public health hazard. Residents, especially daily commuters, are suffering and the government should act at the earliest.”
Jatin, a cyclist “The air pollution is getting worse and people are literally struggling to breathe. The AQI is deteriorating by the day. The government and all agencies concerned should take note of our problems and announce further steps to curb pollution.”

Satish Mishra, another resident, said the governments of the norther states were trading blame and pointing fingers at each other instead of trying to control the worsening air pollution.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia made the local State House Officer, under the overall supervision of the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, responsible for preventing crop burning.
It further directed that a meeting be held on Wednesday between the states to ensure that crop burning is stopped forthwith.
Further, the top court noted that smog towers installed as per an earlier order are not working and directed the government to ensure they are repaired.