At air quality of 280, Bahadurgarh most polluted in Haryana

With the daily dip in temperature, the air quality has also started deteriorating. However, with the blowing air, the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved slightly in various districts on Monday but almost all districts recorded 'poor' AQI. The Particulate Matter (PM)-2.5 has become a major pollutant and has started affecting the health of people.

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As per air quality data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Bahadurgarh was the most polluted in the state with an AQI of 280, followed by Faridabad (277) and Sonepat (256).

With the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented stage-2 of the graded response action plan (GRAP) on October 22 to control the air pollution in the NCR.

Under stage-2, the administration is required to undertake mechanical or vacuum sweeping and sprinkling of water on roads, adopt dust control measures at construction sites, identify hotspots in the NCR, etc. However, garbage is being burnt openly at several places in Panipat. Also, no water sprinkling has been started on roads and dry sweeping is being done in morning hours.

The authorities, however, claim that action under stage-2 has been implemented strictly.

In maximum districts of the state, the PM 2.5 has become a major cause of pollution and was 'very poor' in almost all districts. In Ambala, it was 303, Bahadurgarh (341), Ballabhgarh (270), Bhiwani (338), Charkhi Dadri (311), Dharuhera (347), Faridabad (325), Fatehabad (337), Gurugram (320), Hisar (323), Jind (307), Kaithal (252), Kurukshetra (309), Panchkula (310), Sonepat (321) and Yamunanagar (330).

Varun Gulati, an environmentalist, said online monitoring systems were less in number compared to Delhi. Stubble burning and chimneys of industries were also responsible for the deteriorating air quality. Since the wind velocity was very low in winter, it was also a reason behind the air pollution in the city, he said.

The Sonepat administration, meanwhile, has started sprinkling water on trees and roads with anti-smog guns to reduce pollution levels.

Vishram Meena, Municipal Corporation Commissioner, has urged people to support efforts to control air pollution. He appealed them not to burn garbage in the open and to sprinkle water on construction sites regularly.

He warned that strict action would be taken if anyone was found violating pollution norms.

Air quality range

Good: 0-50

Satisfactory: 51-100

Moderate: 101-200

Poor: 201-300

Very poor: 301-400

Severe: 401-500