‘Sangam Vihar residents at risk of lung diseases’

New Delhi: Sangam Vihar, Asia's largest unauthorised colonies, is heavily polluted with hazardous particles with the residents of the colony suffering from diseases of the lung, chest tightness, asthma, and breathing difficulties.

The area, which has a population of around 10 to 15 lakh, does not have any air quality monitoring station to assess the levels of pollution.

In a first, a pollution test was conducted in the area on March 26 and 27 and the air quality level was found to be much above the safe standards. A team of four scientists of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) conducted air quality monitoring test by respirable dust sampler machine for 24 hours in the area.

As per the results, which came out on April 10, the levels of particulate matter (PM) 10 were found to be at 332 microgramme per cubic metre (ug/m3). The value is much above the safe limit of 100 ug/m3. The pollution levels were far better in most parts of Delhi in March and the average air quality levels in the month remained in 'moderate category', mainly owing due to weather conditions. But residents said there was no relief for Sangam Vihar. The test was conducted after the CPCB was approached by Sangam Vihar former MLA Vijay Jolly. "There is a lot of dust here as there is always some or other construction going on. Nobody follows the dust control norms and no action is taken ever," said Bharat Kumar, a newspaper vendor. Road dust makes up more than 50 per cent of the total PM 10 particles.

Mr Jolly said that to check dust pollution, the Delhi government should sprinkle water on the streets of the area and undertake a 'Clean and Green Sangam Vihar' campaign.

Notably, the colony is mostly inhabited by poor people who lack the basic amenities.

Now, people are getting various diseases because of the hazardous levels of air pollution here and this should be checked," said Mr Jolly.