Ghaziabad: Loni area experienced air quality in the severe category for the first time this season on Thursday evening, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. The air quality index (AQI) in Loni reached 406, placing it in the severe category, followed by Vasundhara recording 344 (very poor), Sanjay Nagar at 289 (poor), and Indirapuram at 254 (poor).
Loni's spike in air quality is attributed to industrial activity, vehicular emissions, and construction. Weather conditions, such as slow wind speed, also contributed to the problem. The area's high population density also leads to heavy traffic congestion, with vehicles emitting pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter.
Vikas Mishra, regional officer of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) in Ghaziabad, said the spike in air quality is due to meteorological factors. He stated that the UPPCB is actively enforcing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to mitigate pollution.
Neighbouring Noida and Greater Noida also experienced a slight deterioration in air quality on Thursday, attributed to unfavourable weather conditions and reduced wind speed. Noida's AQI rose from 265 to 278, while Greater Noida's increased from 264 to 288, both remaining in the poor category. Ghaziabad's overall air quality worsened from poor (281) to very poor (316).
Within Noida, Sector 116 (331) and Sector 62 (316) fell into the very poor category, while Sector 125 (251) and Sector 1 (236) remained in the poor category. In Greater Noida, Knowledge Park II recorded 334 (very poor), and Knowledge Park V recorded 263 (poor).
The Noida pollution department imposed fines totalling Rs 5.1 lakh on six violators for non-compliance with GRAP regulations on Thursday. Violations included uncovered construction materials and a lack of dust mitigation measures like sprinklers at the sites.
IITM reported that variable surface wind direction in Delhi-NCR on Thursday, with speeds ranging from 4 to 8 kmph.