Air quality in Delhi better than last year: Dr Harsh Vardhan

Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Friday said that the quality of air in Delhi has improved in comparison to last year.

"The number of 'Good', 'Satisfactory' and 'Moderate' has increased and 'Poor' and 'Very Poor' category has reduced significantly compared to 2016," said Vardhan.

Emphasizing the need to build a social movement to combat pollution, Dr Vardhan said, "Take up one good, green deed every day individually as well as collectively."

Dr Vardhan further said that he had meetings with the officers from the states of National Capital Region (NCR) on stubble burning.

"Efforts are being made to provide farmers with an alternative to burning, so that farmers can create wealth from waste," He said.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan also reiterated that scientists have been asked to develop zero pollution crackers to tackle pollution.

This year several steps were taken up by Union Government, State Governments and Government of Delhi to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in most of the places of Delhi-NCR was recorded above 400, post Diwali celebration. AQI above 400 is considered to be "severe".

Delhi's Punjabi Bagh and Anand Vihar area recorded the highest level of pollution with AQI at 999 on Friday morning, which is considered to be hazardous.

AQI at RK Puram area was 978, while as per the latest update; East Delhi's Dilshad Garden area recorded the minimum level of pollution with AQI at 221. As compared to Delhi, the pollution level in NCR region was much less with AQI hovering between 400-420.

The Supreme Court, on October 9, had banned the sale of firecrackers during this Diwali to see effects of its suspension in the light of the severe pollution and smog-like conditions prevalent in Delhi during this period.