New Delhi: As the festival of Diwali draws near, the issue of air quality has again started to become a matter of concern for the residents of the national capital. Air quality continued to remain in the “poor category” in Delhi, with the average air quality index (AQI) recorded at 286 on Saturday, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). Several parts of the city saw the AQI dip to the "very poor" category. In Anand Vihar, the AQI was recorded in the “very poor” category with an AQI of 357. In Bawana, AQI was recorded at 328, as per SAFAR. In Dwarka, the AQI was recoded at 325, and in Burari Crossing, the AQI was 333.
On Saturday morning, the air quality in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, was measured in the 'Poor' category with an AQI of 255, while Gurugram's air quality was categorized as 'Moderate' with an AQI of 200.
Monitoring agencies said that the air quality is likely to deteriorate over the weekend due to unfavourable meteorological conditions, PTI reported. Earlier on Friday, the air quality in Delhi remained "poor", with the average air quality index (AQI) recorded at 256.
On Friday, the Punjab government claimed that there has been a reduction in the incidents of stubble burning in the state. The Bhagwant Mann-led government had stated that timely distribution and utilisation of machines are being made, and efforts are being made to ensure maximum utilisation of stubble in various industries.
Following the claims of the Punjab government, the Haryana government released images, which it claimed were from NASA, showing more than double stubble burning incidents in Punjab as compared to Haryana on October 25 and 26.
On NASA satellite images showing stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s OSD (Officer on Special Duty) Jawahar Yadav said, "There is data from NASA of October 25 and 26, which clearly shows where there is stubble burning in Punjab and in Haryana... More than double stubble burning has occurred in Punjab as compared to Haryana. The Haryana government has brought it down...The silence of Arvind Kejriwal about the NASA data creates suspicion. He has alleged that Indian agencies are not giving data on pollution... Why does he need it now?... The Punjab government has failed, and Arvind Kejriwal's face has been exposed in front of the public..."
Speaking on the issue, Punjab SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said, "We need to discuss what all the state governments were able to do and things they were not able to do to stop pollution due to stubble burning. Big pro-farmer announcements are made but nothing happens. A solution to this issue can be found only when governments provide adequate machinery & financial support to farmers."
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said, "...It's the politics of Arvind Kejriwal, it's his failure. Only a very small percentage is due to farmers, the rest is due to construction, industrial and vehicular pollution. They are cheating the farmers of Punjab," as quoted by ANI.