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New Delhi, Nov 19 (IANS) Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR remained in the ‘severe’ category on Wednesday as a dense blanket of smog blanketed the region, worsening the air quality crisis.
Several monitoring stations recorded worrying figures, with Wazirpur (578), Knowledge Park-5 in Greater Noida (553), and Bawana showing some of the worst conditions.
AQI values rose above 400 points at many places in Noida and Greater Noida, including 434 in Sector 125, 367 in Sector 62, 411 in Sector 1, 440 in Sector 116 and 423 in Knowledge Park 3.
In Delhi, Jahangirpuri recorded AQI of 442, while Chandni Chowk, Ashok Vihar, DTU and Vivek Vihar recorded values between 430 and 440, according to CPCB’s Sameer app.
Several other localities, including Sonia Vihar, Rohini, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, North Campus, Nehru Nagar, Narela, Mundka and Anand Vihar, also recorded AQI readings above 400, indicating hazardous conditions across the capital.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted mainly clear to hazy skies during the next 48 hours, with no immediate respite from the worsening smog.
On Tuesday, the Central Pollution Control Board released its evening bulletin, placing Delhi’s average air quality in the ‘very poor’ category, adding that several NCR cities like Greater Noida and Ghaziabad have fallen into the ‘severe’ category.
In response to the GRAP Phase 3 restrictions, several pollution-control measures have been activated, including restrictions on construction activities, water sprinkling on major road stretches and traffic-related restrictions in Delhi-NCR.
Schools in the capital have shifted primary classes to hybrid mode as a precaution amid persistently hazardous air quality.
Recently, growing frustration over deteriorating air quality led to anti-pollution protests in the capital. Social organisations, student groups and local residents took to the streets and urged authorities to intervene without delay and impose stronger measures.
–IANS
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