New Delhi :
French President Francois Hollande who is the Chief Guest of India’s 67th Republic Day faces several threats in the country. However, one threat from which he will be unable to escape is that of Delhi’s air pollution.
According to reports, Delhi’s air is much worse than what last year’s Guest US President Barack Obama breathed in.
The pollution levels this year are twice than what it was in 2015.
The air quality index of the city on Monday was 338, firmly in the Very Poor category which is marginally worse in comparison to the air quality during last year's parade i.e. 154, which was termed as Moderate.
Experts believe that the reasons were purely related to the weather. In 2015, Delhi received morning showers on January 22, 23 and 26 which cleansed the air, leading to a fall in pollution levels.
However, this year the conditions are likely to be different for Hollande. With no rain within miles of the capital, the parade is likely to be held in foggy and heavily polluted air.
The situation was similar on Monday when PM Modi and Hollande engaged in a number of events in and round the capital. On Monday, the air quality in Delhi was "extreme" or "hazardous" category.
You will be surprised to know that Paris also adopted the odd-even scheme in 1997 and then in March 2014 under Hollande.
In Paris, the air pollution is mainly from vehicles, particularly diesel run vehicles as over 70% of their electricity is from nuclear energy sources.
Talking a look away from the major deals, it would not be wrong to say that not Narendra Modi but it is Arvind Kejriwal who shares a common platform with Francois Hollande.
So, will the PM follow in Delhi CM’s footsteps, too?
