'Air pollution in Ghaziabad higher than Delhi'

The air in Ghaziabad, adjoining Delhi, is more polluted than the national capital, according to pollution control board figures.

"We have begun monitoring PM 2.5 pollution levels only recently and found it to be 382 per cubic metre. An extensive study needs to be conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to determine the contribution of pollutants in the NCR cities," said a senior Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) official on Friday.

"The recent survey conducted by the government agencies reveals shocking figures about the air pollution at 382 per cubic metre which is higher than Delhi," Vijay Pal Singh Baghel, an environmentalist, said.

According to Col. T.P.S. Tyagi (retd), chairman of RWA Federation, Ghaziabad, old vehicles, along with buses and three-wheelers, are polluting the air in the satellite township.

"The city is suffering from air and water pollution on account of obsolete vehicles plying due to the negligence of authorities," said Tyagi.

Paras Nath Yadav, regional officer of state pollution board, said the 24-hour ambient air quality monitoring tests conducted on Ghaziabad-Delhi border, in February, on the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), have been inconclusive.

The average of PM (particulate matter) 2.5 level at Apsara Border was 383 micrograms per cubic metre a few months ago. The corresponding figure for these parameters on the same dates on NH-24 was higher at 400 during peak hours micrograms per cubic metre, said Baghel.

Residents, along with office bearers of various RWAs and apartment owners association staged a protest outside the district collectorate office here against rising levels of air pollution and handed over a memorandum to the district magistrate earlier this month.

Tyagi said the air pollution in Ghaziabad has reached a danger level of 2.5 PM suspended in air and the residents are forced to inhale the air pollutants resulting in various types of chest infections.

"The state government must ponder over the operation of CNG buses in the city to get rid of soaring air pollution levels," Tyagi added.

The pollution control board officers are not paying heed towards rising pollution levels in the city, an office-bearer of the RWA said.