Gurgaon visibility improves but not air quality

The smog that has been engulfing Delhi and neighbouring cities since Diwali subsided marginally on Friday, improving visibility in Gurgaon. The average level of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), however, continued to remain almost 10 times more than the permissible limit in Gurgaon.

The smog that has been engulfing Delhi and neighbouring cities since Diwali subsided marginally on Friday, improving visibility in Gurgaon. The average level of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), however, continued to remain almost 10 times more than the permissible limit in Gurgaon.

The average level of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) continued to remain almost 10 times more than the permissible limit in Gurgaon. (Parveen Kumar/HT)

As per the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) data, the average level of PM2.5 was 665 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) on Friday against a permissible limit of 60 µg/m³.

The central pollution control board (CPCB) recorded the level of PM 2.5 at 167 µg/m³ around 2pm on Friday. The PM2.5 was 824 µg/m³ around the same time on Thursday.

“There are a number of factors because of which the pollutants continue to remain in the atmosphere. These include low wind speed, a decline in the temperature, high vehicular emission and the crackers that were burst on Diwali,” Bhupinder Singh, regional head, HSPCB, said.

The situation might take another three to four days to normalise, an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The temperature is expected to decline in the Delhi-NCR in the next few days, the official said.

Residents continued to complain of irritation in the throat and eyes. They said though the visibility was better than the last two days, the condition worsened during early morning and late evening.

“The sun was shining throughout the day and we thought the smog cover will vanish. But, as the sun set, the dense layer was back again. It was not as thick as the previous two days but the visibility was affected especially on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway,” Ankur Sharma, a 24-year-old MNC executive, said.

Tourists were also appalled by the high amount of hazardous substances in the air. They said there was a persistent burning smell in the air and only air masks made them feel safe while roaming around the city.

“I have come to Delhi-NCR a number of times but this time, I was shocked when I entered the city. The sky is hazy and there is a foul smell in the air which is irritating the eyes and the throat. I hope the residents realise how harmful this is, not just for them, but for the entire world, and pledge for a greener lifestyle,” former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes said.