This was one race where the citizens of Gurugram did not want its city to be in.
Yet Gurugram seems to be not only competing in the list of cities with worse pollution levels but seems to be winning it too.
On Friday, Gurugram recorded poorer quality of air levels than Anand Vihar and Punjabi Bagh, two places which are not only considered to be the most polluted places in Delhi but also in the country.
While the particulate matters of 10 microns were in the range of 230-400 levels in Punjabi Bagh and 250 –410 units in Anand Vihar, in Gurugram the levels were recorded between 250-420 levels. The safe limit of PM10 levels should be 60 micrograms per cubic metre.
Gurugram also recorded higher levels of more harmful particulate matter of 2.5 microns.
While Anand Vihar recorded the levels of PM2.5 levels in the range of 120-160, Punjabi Bagh recorded the levels of PM2.5 levels in the range of 120-150, Gurugram in comparison had PM 2.5 levels in the range of 220 -250.
The safe limits of PM2.5 level is 60 micrograms per cubic metre. Long exposure to air with unsafe levels of PM2.5 can result in respiratory complications and in worse cases, lung impairment.
Gurugram has also been recording high levels of other poisonous concentrations like Carbon Monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide.
A major reason towards rising pollution levels is attributed to high vehicular traffic in the city.
Other factors that are considered to be the causes of deteriorating air quality levels are open burning of garbage and usage of poor quality fuel in the private public transportation mediums used in the city. “We are coordinating with the government agencies to ensure that the air quality improves in Gurugram,” said a senior official from Haryana State Pollution Control Board.