Air Quality Index in Delhi continues in ‘very poor’ category; Mumbai’s AQI stands at 169

Slamming the AAP government over rising air pollution, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said people in Delhi are facing respiratory diseases “but the Kejriwal government is running away from its responsibilities.”

Meanwhile, Mumbai reported ‘moderate’ air quality on Thursday morning, with AQI levels at 160. The pollution level in the island city has been in the moderate category over the last few days. The data procured by Central Pollution Control Board showed the worst air quality has been recorded in Mulund West in the eastern suburbs where the AQI stood at 232, followed by Colaba (226), Chembur and Bandra East which have both recorded an AQI of 222, Sion (218) and BKC (201).

After the “Death by Breath” series published by The Indian Express highlighted how Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) lackadaisical approach led to deterioration in air quality, Mumbai’s Guardian Minister Deepak Kesarkar said the civic body will set up a command-and-control centre for monitoring AQI to send out alerts and advisories to residents on days when the city records ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ AQI.

India skipper Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, also weighed in on the pollution issue. He said the current situation is not ideal and it is important that future generations “get to live without fear”. Amid the rising pollution, Indian cricket board announced that there would not be any fireworks display during the World Cup matches in Mumbai and Delhi.

(With PTI inputs)