Air quality in parts of Delhi remains 'severe', residents face breathing issue

New Delhi [India], November 13 (ANI): A thick layer of smog enveloped parts of Delhi and adjoining area on Wednesday evening as air pollution continued to remain high.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Akshardham area recorded an he Air Quality Index (AQI) of 466, categorised as 'severe' as of 5.00 pm.
Earlier, the AQI in Delhi as of 8.00 AM on Wednesday was recorded at 361, as 'very poor'.
Residents have complained of low visibility on the roads and have also been experiencing irritation in their eyes, running nose, breathlessness and cough.
"The pollution has increased and with the temperatures also dropping down, we have started experiencing a lot of issues. There is barely any visibility on the road, and we have also been experiencing irritation in the eyes, running nose, breathlessness and cough," Upendra Singh, a Delhi resident said.
Meanwhile, the Central government, in consultation with CPCB exempted certain categories of industrial plants from the provisions applicable under Section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 on November 12.
The exempted industries and sectors listed in the notification include assembly of air coolers, repairing and servicing, assembly of bicycles, and other non-motorizing vehicles, bio fertilizers, cotton, woollen and hosiers making, surgical and medical products assembling and many others.
According to the notification, the sub-sections which the sectors have been exempted are, "All industrial plants having pollution index score upto 20 as listed in the Schedule to this notification, subject to condition that such plant shall inform in writing to the State Pollution Control Boards or the Pollution Control Committees," read the notification issued by the Central government.
"All industrial plants which have obtained prior environmental clearance as per the notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests number S.O. 1533(E), dated the 14th September, 2006 issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), in respect of previous consent to establish such plant," the notification added.
On Monday, the Supreme Court said that the right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere is a fundamental right of every citizen under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and no religion encourages any activity that creates pollution.
Questioning the authorities for their failure to implement the ban on firecrackers in Delhi during Diwali, a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih further said that if firecrackers are burnt in this fashion, it also affects the fundamental right to health of the citizens.
"The right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere is a fundamental right of every citizen, which is protected by Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Prima facie, we are of the view that no religion encourages any activity that creates pollution or compromises the health of people. If firecrackers are burnt in this fashion, it also affects the fundamental right to health of the citizens," said the bench. (ANI)