The pollution in the national capital and its nearby areas such as Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Tuesday with the Air Quality Index (AQI) docking at 392, said Center-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). A blanket of smog engulfed Delhi causing suffocation to the people especially near the major junctions such as Rajpath, Raisina Hill, India Gate, ITO and Tilak Marg. Yesterday, the overall air quality of Delhi touched the ‘severe’ category. According to SAFAR, Haryana and Punjab stubble fire counts are increasing, and the transport level wind direction is favorable for plume transport (north-westerly). The air quality is likely to improve slightly tomorrow due to an increase in wind speed. “Biomass related contribution may touch this year’s peak value (~25 per cent) on October 29. The AQI is forecasted to improve to higher-end Very poor category by tomorrow and a slight increase in wind speed is expected by October 30 will help improve AQI marginally to middle end of the Very poor category,” the organisation stated in its report. Also, according to Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), straw burning has increased this year. To curb air pollution, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi has announced the implementation of the Odd-Even scheme from November 4 to 15, 2019.
