Health risks mount as NCR air quality still ‘hazardous’
The air quality in Gurugram, Delhi and other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) continues to worsen, posing serious health risks to residents.
On Saturday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Gurugram’s Sector 51 reached 339, placing it in the “very poor” category. Other areas in the city, including Vikas Sadan (296), Teri Gram (237) and IMT Manesar (212), also recorded concerning levels of pollution. The average AQI for Delhi on Saturday was 318.
In Anand Vihar, one of Delhi’s most polluted areas, the AQI surged to an alarming 505 around 8 am, placing it in the “hazardous” category. The neighbouring cities in Uttar Pradesh also reported poor air quality, with Noida recording an AQI of 267, Greater Noida at 286 and Ghaziabad at 250 — all falling under the “very poor” category.
In addition to the worsening air quality, the temperature in Gurugram dropped sharply on Saturday, with a maximum temperature of 26.48°C and a minimum of 12.02°C. The relative humidity stood at 29 per cent and the wind speed was recorded at 29 km per hour. The weather was dry with clear skies throughout the day.
Delhi also saw a drop in its minimum temperature on Saturday, which was recorded at 9.8°C, slightly colder than the previous day’s 9.5°C.
To tackle the deteriorating air quality, the Supreme Court has ordered the continuation of Stage-4 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) until the next hearing on December 2. These measures, which exclude school-related directives, include a complete ban on non-essential trucks entering NCR areas unless they are transporting essential goods or are powered by cleaner fuels such as LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel or electricity. Additionally, construction work for public infrastructure projects has been suspended to curb pollution.
The ongoing pollution crisis is making life increasingly difficult for residents across the NCR and it is vital for all stakeholders to take immediate action to improve air quality in the region.
