The air quality in Delhi, the capital of India, according to a WHO survey of 1600 world cities, is the worst of any major city in the world. Air Pollution being the fifth largest killer in India, is estimated to kill 15 lakh people every year. In Delhi, the deteriorated air quality irreversibly damages the lungs of around 50 percent of all children.
The current frightening scenario has pushed the authorities to ponder the issue. According to reports, Environment Protection Control Authority (EPCA), appointed by Supreme Court, has warned that if the air quality in Delhi continues to deteriorate then it would impose a complete ban on the use of non-CNG private as well as commercial vehicles. EPCA chief Bhure Lal has raised this issue the second time.
On October 31, he proposed a ban on all the private vehicles but this time he has proposed an even more strict ban on both private and commercial vehicles if they are non-CNG.
The air quality in parts of the national capital continue to fall in ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories and sometimes even in the ‘severe’ category, despite the preventive measures being taken by the authorities.
PM 10 level has raised to a horrendous 460 when 60 is the acceptable level. 100 being the tolerable level for PM 2.5, the current PM 2.5 level in the city has raised to a nasty 262.
SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting), which is a centre-run organization had suggested people to stay indoors as much as possible.
Read this news in Hindi here.