Delhi sees worst air quality of the season

Night patrols to check leaf burning by spot fining

New Delhi: Delhi's air quality remained "very poor" on Thursday even as parts of the massive Bhalswa landfill site continued to smoulder. As the air quality showed no signs of improvement, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has decided to act against burning of leaves and garbage. 

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi at 331 in the evening, the worst in the season so far. 

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". 

Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon also recorded "very poor" category air on Thursday, according to the CPCB data. 

The air quality in the capital had shown signs of improvement on Monday as it moved from "very poor" to "poor" category. However, it dipped to "very poor" again on Wednesday even as firefighting continued at the Bhalswa landfill site in north-west Delhi. 

A Delhi Fire Service (DFS) official said on Thursday that a fire tender was stationed at the landfill site as parts of it were still smouldering. 

Fire had raged at the landfill site on October 20. However, by Tuesday evening, the flames were somewhat brought under control and parts of the landfill smouldered, DFS officials had said. 

The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) also reported an AQI in the "very poor" category on Thursday. 

Meanwhile, the SDMC said it was going to intensify work on stopping incidents of waste and leaves burning by conducting night patrolling in all four zones in its jurisdiction. 

The civic body said it has decided to depute six-member teams headed by its sanitation supervisors in all four zones to intercept the burning of leaves and garbage, and fine violators on the spot under the Nation Green Tribunal rules. 

"Five-five teams have been constituted in each zone. The teams will take rounds of localities prone to cases of burning of leaves and garbage. 

The teams will intercept the incidents of burning and warn them, apart from slapping a fine," the SDMC said in a statement.