The air quality of Delhi worsened on Thursday and dropped to “very poor” category, mainly due to fall in surface wind speed.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city on Thursday was 311, up from 242 on Wednesday. It dropped to ‘severe’ category at Mundka and Anand Vihar where the AQI was recorded above 400 at 8 p.m., according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
“The decrease in wind speed started to negatively influence Delhi’s air quality by drastically decreasing ventilation coefficients and thereby effecting dispersion,” said government-run monitoring agency, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research.
The dominating factor for the next two days is going to be the calm surface wind speed, which will result in accumulation of pollutants. “Mostly easterly winds are expected to turn north westerly from October 27, 2019. Fog is also expected on October 28,” SAFAR said.
Action against DDA
Meanwhile, Environment Minister Kailah Gahlot on Thursday directed the Delhi Pollution Control Commission (DPCC) to take action against Delhi Development Authority if they failed to remove construction and demolition waste from a 10-acre land near Karkardooma metro station by October 25.
The Delhi government said that the DDA was fined ₹1 crore on October 22 after the DPCC on October 6 inspected the site where the waste was found. The DPCC had also directed DDA to remove the construction and demolition waste from the site within 72 hours.
Mr. Gahlot on Thursday inspected the site and found that the waste was still lying there and directed the DPCC to take action against DDA if the waste is not removed within the deadline.
