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NCR Air Quality Plummets to 'Poor' Category
4 Oct
Summary
- Ghaziabad and Noida air quality dropped to 'poor' this week.
- Ghaziabad's AQI reached 222, second highest nationally.
- Early pollution season signals industrial non-compliance.
Air quality in Ghaziabad and Noida has significantly declined, entering the 'poor' category this week. Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 222 on Saturday, making it the second most polluted city nationally, while Noida's AQI was 204. These readings place both cities among the four nationwide with an AQI above 200.
Ghaziabad's air quality dropped from 'moderate' to 'poor' on Friday, with several monitoring stations reporting AQI above 200. Wave City recorded the highest AQI at 294. In Noida, Sector 116 recorded the worst AQI at 220, largely due to heavy construction activity. Enforcement agencies have stepped up checks on industrial units, with many found non-compliant with environmental norms in Loni.
The early onset of poor air quality is attributed to dipping temperatures and atmospheric conditions less favorable for pollutant dispersion. Environmentalists note this marks the beginning of the post-monsoon pollution build-up. Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation has deployed sweeping machines and water sprinklers in identified pollution hotspots. A Central Pollution Control Board forecast indicates no immediate improvement in air quality for Sunday and Monday.
