Greater Noida most polluted city in country

Apart from Greater Noida, the other cities that recorded a severe AQI on Tuesday were Delhi (407), and Bhagalpur (406) and Chhapra (410) in Bihar

Adverse weather conditions, coupled with local sources of pollution, have made Greater Noida the most polluted city in the country on Tuesday with an air quality index (AQI) reading of 418, in the “severe” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)’s daily 4pm bulletin.

Noida had an AQI reading of 393 (very poor) on Tuesday. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

The data further showed that Tuesday was the third consecutive day of “severe” air pollution in Greater Noida, which is happening after a gap of 47 days. The AQI was 402 on Sunday, 415 on Monday and 418 on Tuesday, the CPCB data showed. Prior to Sunday, the AQI had reached the “severe” category on November 4.

The situation prompted an emergency meeting of district officials on Tuesday evening, during which the district magistrate asked officials to take stringent steps to control pollution.

According to officials from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), the rush to the upcoming auto expo at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, a prestigious event in the state’s biennial calendar, is further adding to the local pollution.

The weather continued to remain foggy and cold with Noida recording a maximum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 7 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, according to the India Meteorological Department.

“The weather is foggy and that prevents pollutants from dissipating. We have just two monitoring stations, one of which is stationed near the expo mart. With increased traffic towards the expo mart, this station is recording higher pollution levels. We are expecting over 150,000 vehicles in this area over the next few days. So, the pollution levels may not reduce much. However, we are taking all necessary steps,” said Radhey Shyam, regional officer, UPPCB, Greater Noida.

He added that all authorities are chipping in to curb pollution and dust in the city. There are 103 anti smog guns deployed by various agencies in the city. Also, 17 water tankers of the Yamuna Industrial Development Authority (Yeida) and 32 of the Greater Noida authority are being deployed for water sprinkling along the roads.

Greater Noida authority is also deploying four mechanical sweeping machines to clean the roads in multiple shifts.

In the past two days, the UPPCB also imposed environmental compensation of ₹190 lakh on six defaulting developers for not following norms. Four of these sites were found to be continuing construction work without covering the waste material or sprinkling water at the site.

Apart from Greater Noida, the other cities that recorded a severe AQI on Tuesday were Delhi (407), and Bhagalpur (406) and Chhapra (410) in Bihar. Meanwhile, neighbouring Noida had an AQI reading of 393 (very poor) and Ghaziabad 362 (very poor) on Tuesday.

As per the CPCB prediction for the next six days, the air quality is likely to remain in the “very poor” category in Delhi-NCR.

Vikrant Tongad, environmentalist based in Greater Noida, said, “The question in Greater Noida is not just higher pollution levels, but what can be done. The problem is that the authorities do not take action throughout the year to ensure that local sources of pollution are kept in check. Long term sustainable measures such as better public transport is required so that fewer personal vehicles are used. Similarly, action against developers cannot be a knee-jerk reaction to higher AQI. Such penalties against polluting builders should be imposed throughout the year for it to become a deterrent.”