Air pollution | Delhi chokes on smog as AQI remains in 'severe' zone

Air quality in Delhi remains 'severe' as toxic smog hangs heavy. Commuters, residents suffer breathing problems. SC expresses grave concern, orders stop to stubble burning. Smog towers not working, govt asked to repair. Meeting to be held to ensure crop burning stops. Cold weather traps pollution, AQI beyond 400 poses risk of lung cancer.

A thick toxic haze or 'smog' continued to hang heavy over the national capital as the air quality remained in the 'severe' category on Wednesday, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed.

According to the data shared by the CPCB, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar was recorded at 452, while it was at 433, 460, 382, and 413 at RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, Sri Aurobindo Marg and Shadipur, all in the 'severe' category.

Several residents and commuters in the national capital complained of breathing problems and urged the government and the authorities concerned to mobilise steps to curb the runaway air pollution at the earliest.

Voicing concerns over the deteriorating air quality, a commuter told ANI, "This toxic air is giving us breathing problems. The government should mobilise urgent steps to bring us some respite."

Gulab Singh Shukla, another resident, said, "The deteriorating air quality is proving to be a public health hazard. Residents, especially daily commuters, are suffering and the government should act at the earliest."

Jatin, a cyclist, told ANI, "The air pollution is getting worse and people are literally struggling to breathe. The AQI is deteriorating by the day. The government and all agencies concerned should take note of our problems and announce further steps to curb pollution." Satish Mishra, another resident, said the governments of the norther states were trading blame and pointing fingers at each other instead of trying to control the worsening air pollution.

"If not controlled now, this could have a more severe impact on public health than Covid. Masks are back on the faces of residents here as the air quality is going from bad to worse," Mr. Mishra told ANI.