Delhi witnessed a respite in air pollution following rainfall in the national capital this week. According to the data released by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 204 around 11 pm on Saturday. This level of AQI reflects that the air quality in the national capital was in the “poor” category.
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Air quality in other major cities
The overall AQI in Mumbai was at 74 (satisfactory), it was 92 (satisfactory) in Pune and 125 (moderate) in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, SAFAR reported. In Kolkata, West Bengal, the AQI was in the “poor” category at 269, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data recorded as of 4 pm on Saturday.
These tallies were recorded on the eve of Diwali. The festival will be celebrated across the nation on Sunday, November 12.
ALSO READ: Beyond stubble burning: Why is dealing with other ‘consistent’ sources of Delhi air pollution important
On the eve of Diwali, here’s a look at top 10 polluted cities in India. As per CPCB rankings that uses the 24-hour average of the data on Saturday (As on 4 pm), most of the cities with “very poor” air quality” were located in Bihar:
1. Arrah, Bihar
2. Begusarai, Bihar
3. Bhagalpur, Bihar
4. Byrnihat, Meghalaya
5. Chhapra, Bihar
6 Hajipur, Bihar
7. Katihar, Bihar
8. Motihari, Bihar
9. Patna, Bihar
10. Purnia, Bihar
11. Rajgir, Bihar
Amid rising air pollution caused by the burning of crop residue, the Bihar government decided to identify farmers who are indulging in this practice and put up their names at the block offices, officials said on Saturday.
Besides naming and shaming, directions have also been given to initiate action against such farmers under CrPC section 133 that deals with unlawful obstruction or nuisance, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying.
“The state government has banned crop residue burning to check air pollution, and protect the fertility of the soil. It has issued a strict warning to farmers that if they indulge in stubble burning, financial assistance and subsidies under government schemes would be denied,” Agriculture Minister Kumar Sarvjeet told PTI.
“The state offers electricity to farmers at a cheaper rate, and diesel at subsidised prices, among others. Therefore, farmers must take the matter seriously for the benefit of the people and also the environment,” he added.
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Aisha Patel is a dedicated Indian correspondent with a deep understanding of the nation’s diverse affairs. With a background in Indian culture, politics, and current events, she provides in-depth analysis and timely reporting on domestic issues within India.
