Air quality in Ghaziabad, GR Noida and Noida falls into the ‘poor’ category for the first time this season.


After Greater Noida, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Ghaziabad and Noida also fell to the ‘poor’ category on Friday, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

A view of the polluted Loha Mandi Road in Ghaziabad, India on Friday, October 06, 2023. (Saqib Ali/HT Photo)

For the first time this season, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, and Noida all recorded AQIs in the ‘Poor’ category after the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) came into effect.

Greater Noida city has been dealing with ‘bad’ AQI for over a week, as the air quality started to decline on September 24.

Along with these three cities, Delhi’s AQI also slipped into the ‘poor’ category on Friday, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to direct the NCR authorities to implement Stage I of GRAP immediately.

CAQM said, “It was noted that there has been a sudden drop in air quality parameters in the region in the last 48 hours due to which Delhi’s AQI has moved into the ‘Poor’ category. The forecast also predicts It has been concluded that the air quality will remain mainly in the ‘Poor’ category in the coming days (except for one or two days) due to adverse weather conditions. Therefore, the Sub-Committee decided that Stage I of GRAP All measures envisaged under – ‘poor’ air quality (Delhi’s AQI between 201-300) should be immediately implemented by all concerned agencies in NCR.”

According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) AQI bulletin on Friday, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, and Noida reported AQI figures of 214, 252 and 210 respectively, all falling in the ‘poor’ category. The main pollutant identified is PM10, which consists of coarse particles from dust, waste burning and industrial sources.

Officials of the UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) attributed the scenario to climatic factors and local pollution. According to CPCB’s AQI scale, readings between 0 and 50 are considered “good,” 51 and 100 are “satisfactory,” 101 and 200 are “moderate,” 201 and 300 are “poor,” 301 and 400 are very poor, “and 401 and 500” are severe.

Vikas Mishra, regional officer of UPPCB in Ghaziabad, said measures like street cleaning and water sprinkling are already underway to control local pollution and the situation is temporary. “The scenario is due to meteorological factors and is a temporary condition and is likely to improve soon. Measures like road cleaning, water sprinkling are already underway to control local pollution,” Mishra said. said

However, UPPCB, Noida officials also attributed the scenario to meteorological factors such as reduction in wind speed and drop in temperature.

“The presence of fog in the morning hours and low wind speed has resulted in ‘poor’ AQI in the region. This also affects local pollution. Actions under the first phase of GRIP are already underway,” he said. Utsav Sharma, Regional Officer, UPPCB, Noida said.

GRIP’s Stage I construction and demolition activities include dust abatement measures, regular waste disposal, and mechanical road cleaning and water spraying.

“Air quality is likely to remain in the ‘poor’ category from October 6 to 8. Air quality is likely to remain in the ‘moderate’ category on October 9,” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast on Friday said. Outlook for the next 6 days: Air quality is likely to remain in the ‘moderate’ to ‘poor’ category. The forecast for October 7th and 8th is partly cloudy with morning fog and clear skies. More was said about cloudy skies and fog during the morning hours on October 9.

Meanwhile, environmentalists have expressed concern as temperatures begin to take a toll on the region. Climatic factors are also playing their role in increasing the level of pollution. Various agencies should address the problems of bad and unpaved roads, traffic congestion and other factors that contribute to the rise in PM10 and PM2.5 levels,” said Akash Vashishtha, an environment advocate.

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