After short respite due to rains, Delhi air deteriorates

NEW DELHI: After a brief respite, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to oscillate between “poor” and “very poor” categories on Friday due to increased pollutant holding capacity of air and stubble burning in neighbouring states.

The overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 339, which comes under ‘very poor’ category, according to the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (Safar).

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall AQI at a “poor” 282.

Delhi’s air quality showed significant improvement in the past two days after rain washed away the pollutants, but the rainfall also led to increased air capacity to hold pollutants, the Safar said.

Meanwhile, more cases of stubble burning in the neighbouring states were recorded this time as compared to last year despite a strict enforcement, Supreme Court-appointed EPCA chairperson Bhure Lal said on Friday as he stressed on the need to bring a change in the mentality of people so that they look at the alternatives to this practice.

Speaking at a workshop on Bulk Utilisation of Crop Residue for Econo-mic and Environmental Sustainability organised by the PHD Chamber, Mr Lal noted that paddy straw can be a very rich source of fertilisers and its best utilisation would be to merge it with soil.

Stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana is one of the major causes for poor air quality in Delhi.

The air quality in the national capital last Thursday went off the charts as smog caused due to bursting of firecrackers engulfed the city.

The air quality index (AQI) was recorded at a high 642.