Gurugram air 'very poor' due to dust storms

Gururgam: Dusty winds have resulted in Gurugram air being in the very poor category. On Thursday the particulate levels of 2.5 microns in Gurugram was registered at 350 micrograms per cubic metres. This is way above the prescribed limits of 60 micrograms per cubic metre set by the world health organisation (WHO).

Civic agencies are implementing GRAP measures as per AQI levels. All norms will be followed, as the AQI has been in the 'very poor' levels for the past 48 hours," said an official of Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB).

According to the met department, dust storm conditions are making the situation in the city worse.

"Dust particles from the Thar in Rajasthan are blowing towards this region. That is a major cause of continuous deterioration in air quality. Also, wind direction is west-south-west, leading to the transportation of more dust particles from the desert," said the Met official.

The condition might improve on Friday as a western disturbance is likely to hit the region. "We're expecting both air pollution and temperature to fall slightly Friday onwards, as a western disturbance is likely to hit the region," said the official.

The city authorities are gearing up to implement GRAP (graded response action plan) measures for 'very poor' pollution levels after air quality continued to deteriorate and its index (AQI) got stuck in the 'very poor' level for the last 48 hours.

On Wednesday, the city's AQI deteriorated to 334 (very poor) from 303 on Tuesday (also very poor), after being in the 'poor' level on Monday (230).

AQI was not recorded on Sunday but was 180 (moderate) on Saturday. Over the last two months, AQI was recorded between 'moderate' and 'poor' levels, necessitating the implementation of GRAP measures appropriate for those levels.

The adverse effect of dust pollution is further compounded with most of the construction firms not following the norms. Most of the construction areas possessing of construction materials and dust particles are not covered has been directed by the Green Tribunal. Gurugram was recently declared the most polluted city in the world by a famous non-governmental organisation.