Delhi-NCR Air Quality Sinks To 'Very Poor' Level, Nasa Shows Massive Stubble Burning

The menace of smog continued in Delhi-NCR on Wednesday as the air quality slumped to ‘very poor’ level. The downward trend seems to worsen as the National Capital readies for winter season. Despite the promises by the neighbouring states, Delhi is facing the wrath of stubble burning. The Arvind Kejriwal government also shared a latest image by the NASA that showed widespread stubble burning in and around Delhi. According to latest numbers released by authorities, Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (299) also bordered "very poor" levels. The AQI at Mundka, Dwarka Sector 8, Delhi Technological University, Anand Vihar, Wazirpur, Rohini, Bawana, Ashok Vihar, Nehru Nagar and Jahangirpuri was 368, 362, 355, 328, 323, 323, 320, 319, 319 and 318.

Other areas that experienced very poor air quality included Alipur (314), Narela (312), Vivek Vihar (311), Sirifort (309), CRRI - Mathura Road (304), Okhla Phase 2 (303) and ITO (302). The neighbouring areas of Ghaziabad (337), Loni Dehat (335), Noida (318) and Greater Noida (308) also recorded a spike in pollution levels. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe.

Though, on December 10, 2015, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned crop residue burning in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, the practice continues to this day. India, China and the West Asia, with their fast-growing economies and expanding industry, have seen more air pollution, a NASA report said.

Last month on September 13, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that the third edition of the road rationing scheme would be implemented from November 4 to November 15 as part of measures to combat high-level air pollution caused due to stubble burning in neighbouring states during winters. Earlier, a fine of Rs 2,000 had been imposed on the violators of the rule. During the scheduled 12-day scheme, vehicles will ply alternately on odd and even dates as per their registration numbers. In addition to this, CNG vehicles along with a VVIPs such as the President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India among others as well. Emergency vehicles are also exempted from this rationing scheme.