Delhi continues to battle severe air pollution as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the ‘very poor’ category for the second consecutive week following Diwali. Residents have voiced concerns, pressing the government for long-term solutions to tackle the recurring issue of deteriorating air quality in the capital.
On Tuesday morning, a dense layer of smog blanketed several parts of the city, with many residents reporting breathing difficulties as the air quality worsened. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 355 as of 8 am, firmly within the “very poor” range.
Some areas faced even more severe conditions, with Ashok Vihar’s AQI reaching 390, Dwarka Sector 8 at 367, DTU at 366, Jahangirpuri at 417, and Mundka at 404. Notably, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 403, crossing into the “severe” category. Similar trends were seen in Pratapganj (371), Pusa (320), RK Puram (365), Rohini (415), Shadipur (359), and Vivek Vihar (385), as reported by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Anand Vihar area dipped to ‘severe’ category, as per the CPCB data.
On Monday, the Supreme Court said that the right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere is a fundamental right of every citizen under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and no religion encourages any activity that creates pollution.
Questioning the authorities for their failure to implement the ban on firecrackers in Delhi during Diwali, a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih further said that if firecrackers are burnt in this fashion, it also affects the fundamental right to health of the citizens.
“The right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere is a fundamental right of every citizen, which is protected by Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Prima facie, we are of the view that no religion encourages any activity that creates pollution or compromises the health of people. If firecrackers are burnt in this fashion, it also affects the fundamental right to health of the citizens,” said the bench.
(ANI)