The air quality index in Delhi was a dismal 397 — three points below the severe level — according to the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Tuesday.
While experts have termed the air quality in some places of the Capital hazardous — hitting as high as 469 — Environment Pollution Control Authority chairman Bhure Lal cautioned that private vehicles would have to stop plying if the pollution level dipped further.
Delhi has been chocking for the past week with air quality swinging between poor and very poor. Environmentalists are attributing the spike to stubble burning close to Delhi’s borders.
“Let us hope the air pollution situation in Delhi doesn’t deteriorate,” said Mr. Lal. “But if it turns out to be an emergency, we will have to stop use of private transport.”
EPCA, earlier proposed halting construction, use of diesel-run power generators, operation of brick kilns and burning of garbage between November 1 and 10 to reduce pollution levels in the city.
Warning sign
“After Dussehra, smog brings a lot of medical problems in Delhi, especially with kids,” said Dr. Ashish Sahani, senior consultant, Paediatric, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute. “In our hospital, we have had approx 50-55 cases in the past 8-10 days.” He said around 25-30 per cent cases in children’s OPD are symptoms associated with pollution, like irritation in the eyes and throat, chronic cough etc.
