Air quality deteriorating in neighbourhood Gurugram

Gurugram: After a brief respite thanks to unseasonal rains, Gurugram's air again begun to deteriorate on Thursday, entering the 'severe' category.

The air quality monitoring station at Vikas Sadan showed PM2.5 levels hovering between 200 to 300 micrograms per cubic metre.

Unlike in November, when the situation was equally dire, citizens and authorities believe that internal factors, such as stubble burning, have worsened the conditions.

There are fears that meteorological conditions like slow wind speed and lack of moisture would worsen the situation.

Poor quality of fuel reportedly being used across Gurugram is increasing levels of poisonous gases like sulphur dioxide.

Even as strict orders have been issued by the National Green Tribunal not to allow burning of the waste in the open, the district administration has been unable to prevent it, even in areas near NH-8.

"There is a need for sustained and committed effort in dealing with such a major challenge. The citizens and government must collaborate together to fight this menace. Even though awareness about pollution has improved, there is no proactive approach to it," said Shweta Narang, a Gurugram resident.

Taking cognisance of the severe air quality, authorities have formed a special team to inspect faulty pollution under control certification centres at petrol pumps across Gurugram.