Air quality in several districts of Haryana that fall in the National Capital Region (NCR) registered a slight improvement as PM 2.5 levels dipped towards the evening on Friday.
The development comes a day after the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) proposed a five-point action plan in view of deteriorating air quality.
The average PM2.5 levels on Thursday was recorded at 380.21 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3).
The figure dropped to 353.61 ug/m3 on Friday.
HSPCB regional director Jai Bhagwan told The Hindu that the situation had improved with the fall in the average PM2.5 levels and the worst “seemed to be over”.
As per HSPCB data, the highest level of PM2.5 was recorded at 502.67 ug/m3 on Friday between 6- 7 a.m.
The level, however, decreased gradually during the day to fall to 248.09 ug/m3 towards the evening.
Acting on directions of the HSPCB, teams from the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) visited over a dozen sites in Patel Nagar, Shivji Nagar and Housing Board to stop any construction activity. The teams also found uncovered building material and directed the responsible authorities to sprinkle water over it.
Four mechanical sweeping machines were also deployed along with three water sprinklers. The MCG teams also challaned two people for burning waste in the open.
Worsening air quality can affect health of the citizens, but Piyush Goel, consultant, Pulmonology and Critical Care, Columbia Asia Hospital, said there was only a 5%-10% increase in the number of OPD patients presenting respiration-related ailments, “which was not alarming”.
He added that the patients were advised to remain indoors as much as possible.