Is Delhi's Air Quality a Growing Concern Before Diwali?

The air quality in Delhi continued to deteriorate on Monday, as most stations recorded an AQI in the 'very poor' category at 6 am. The air pollution levels in Delhi and adjoining areas are expected to rise in the coming days ahead of Diwali, with stubble burning and firecrackers being major contributors, along with the absence of favourable wind conditions. 

Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 358 on Monday morning, Jahangirpuri at 370, Bawana at 380, Burari Crossing at 364, Rohini at 357, Ashok Vihar at 361, RK Puram at 362 and ITO at 327 - all in the 'very poor' category. 

On Sunday, the city's air quality slipped again to the 'very poor' category after a two-day break, as the wind that had cleared the air slowed down.

The AQI is expected to remain in the 'very poor' category until October 29, with firecrackers and stubble burning likely to worsen conditions, potentially pushing pollution levels to the 'severe' category by October 30.

The AQI slipping into the 'very poor' category prompted the BJP to take jibes at the AAP government in Delhi. Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta hit out at the AAP government, alleging that it had "utterly failed" to control the city's rising pollution.

"How can residents in Delhi improve air quality before Diwali?"

He claimed that attendance in schools was dropping as children were falling sick due to the rise in pollution in the national capital. Gupta accused AAP of making false promises to clean the Yamuna river, claiming it was as polluted as ever. 

AAP, however, claimed that Yamuna pollution was rising because of the high volume of industrial wastewater being released into the river by BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Notably, Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva, who took a dip in the Yamuna river to highlight the problem of pollution, was hospitalised. 

"For me, the cleanliness of the Yamuna before Chhath Puja is more important than my health, and today I am satisfied that my plunge into the Yamuna has triggered widespread criticism of the Kejriwal government's corruption and negligence under the guise of Yamuna cleaning," Sachdeva said.