Noida,

14 Dec (HS): A thick layer of toxic smog has posed a respiratory crisis in the

National Capital Region. The NCR has become a gas chamber. Noida is the most

polluted city in the country today, while Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, and Delhi

have also reached the dark red zone. This has created a respiratory crisis for

residents. People are experiencing breathing difficulties and eye irritation.

The condition of asthma, heart disease, tuberculosis, and cough patients has

worsened significantly. The government has implemented GRAP-4. Starting today,

BS-3 and BS-4 vehicles have been banned in the NCR. All government and private

construction and demolition have been halted. Schools up to grade 12 have been

directed to operate in hybrid mode (both offline and online).

According

to the data of Central Pollution Control Board on Sunday morning, Noida's AQI

was recorded at 469. Greater Noida's AQI was 442, Ghaziabad's 459, Delhi's 460,

Bahadurgarh's 444, Baghpat's 444, Panipat's 454, Meerut's 355, Manesar's 363,

Gurugram's 357 AQI was recorded. All the major cities of NCR have reached the

dark red zone. This situation is quite frightening. Due to increasing air

pollution, life of the people living in the National Capital Region has become

very difficult. People have started avoiding going out of their homes. This has

also affected the business a lot. Despite it being the Christmas month, people

are not leaving their homes due to air pollution. Even on Sunday, very few

people were seen in the markets here.

The

main pollutant in Delhi, Noida, and Greater Noida was PM 2.5. Both PM 10 and PM

2.5 were found prominently in Ghaziabad's air. Wind speeds in the NCR remained

below 9 kilometers per hour. Due to the increasing cold, pollution particles

are lingering in the atmosphere for longer. Experts say that people are

unlikely to get relief from polluted air for the next three to four days.

People say that this situation is likely to continue until it rains.

Air

Quality Management Commission after increasing air pollution: An emergency

meeting was held and Grade Response Action Plan 4 was implemented. Under this,

all types of government and private construction and demolition were stopped.

Entry of trucks has been banned in the National Capital Region. In Delhi,

Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, light commercial vehicles

registered outside Delhi have been completely banned except CNG and BS-6 diesel

vehicles. Use of diesel generators and burning of garbage in the open have been

banned. At the same time, all the schools here, except 10th and 12th standard,

have been put on hybrid mode (online and offline). Many institutions have

implemented work from home rule for the employees.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi