Construction Work Stopped, Thermal Plants Shut Down
Chandigarh: Barring Ambala, Palwal, Panchkula and Panipat, the air quality of nearly all cities in Haryana was in severe and very poor category on Saturday.
The air quality index (AQI) of Bahadurgarh was worse than that of New Delhi.
Even as the air quality of its cities in National Capital Region (NCR) continue to be in the severe category, the Haryana government is yet to totally implement GRAP 4 restrictions, as mandated by Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for NCR.
Delhi has already imposed these restrictions. Officials in Haryana informed that instructions had issued on closure of stone crushers and industries using unclean or diesel-like fuel. Construction activities and thermal power plants too have been closed down.
Pollution levels falling: Khattar
Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Saturday that air pollution had reduced in the state due to the effects of western winds. According to the meteorological department, weather conditions will remain the same for six days. Interacting with media in Rohtak, the CM said due to western winds, air pollution had been reduced significantly in comparison to the last few days and the air quality Index had come down. Despite this, it is very important to maintain safety standards and take precautions. In response to the question, the CM said the Haryana state had always lived up to the expectation, for which the chairman of NGT had also appreciated the efforts made by the state government to reduce air pollution. In response to another question, he said that awareness programmes had been organised against stubble burning.
In Jind, ban on construction
Jind deputy commissioner (DC) Manoj Kumar imposed a ban on major construction activities in the district till further orders due to deteriorating air quality. The air quality index (AQI) in the district has been above 450. The DC claimed that stubble burning cases fell to 15% when compared to last year. In all, 35 teams have been deputed to curb farm fires at the village level. Respiratory issues have been raised in the district and health officials reported over 10% increase in such cases. Deputy civil surgeon Dr Rajesh Bhola sald respiratory cases had been on the rise.
Referring to the closure of schools and work from home, officials said the decision wo uld be taken most likely on Sunday evening. “Things are settling gradually We are hopeful of improvement by Sunday evening,” an official said, referring to closure of schools in NCR cities.
According to an official, there was an AQ1 of 453 in Bahadurgarh, 440 in Hisar, 429 in Jind, 425 in Faridabad, 416 in Gurugram, 412 in Bhiwani, 402 in Charkhi Dadri and Fatehabad, 399 in Kaithal 397 in Dharuhera, 395 in Manesar, 372 in Ballabhgarh, 365 in Sonipat, 333 in Sirsa, 326 in Panipat, and 227 in Karnal.
With 90 active fire locations being detected during the day, the overall count of stubble burning cases rose to 2,530. Haryana agriculture minister JP Dalal has already defended state in terms of stubble management.
Congress Legislature Party leader Bhupinder Hooda too on Saturday reiterated that farmers should not be blamed for poor AQI.
