"AQI level lower than previous years; Next year, during these days, Delhi will have clean environment": BJP MP Khandelwal

New Delhi [India], October 21 (ANI): Heaping praise on the Chief Minister Rekha Gupta-led government, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Praveen Khandelwal on Tuesday emphasised that the Air Quality Index in Delhi is lower compared to previous years, even after the bursting of firecrackers on Diwali.
Speaking to ANI, Khandelwal "guaranteed" that next year, during these days, the national capital will have a clean environment.
"We have seen that when AAP's government was in Delhi, the city's AQI used to cross 600. Today, Delhi's AQI is around 350. After 10 years of AAP's mismanagement, today Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has taken such steps that even after firecrackers were burst in Delhi, the AQI level is lower compared to previous years... Next year, during these very days, Delhi will have a clean environment. This is our guarantee," Praveen Khandelwal said.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 351 as of 4 pm today.
The pollution rate at Lodhi Road was 343, meanwhile, in Sirifort it was recorded at 274.
The AQI in Greater Noida and Ghaziabad were recorded at 282 and 324, respectively.
An AQI between zero 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.'
During the 'very poor' air quality, residents might face breathing difficulties, and prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory illness.
Meanwhile, the health experts have raised concerns about the rising Air Quality Index (AQI) and its impact on vulnerable groups, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments.
The festive season, seasonal weather changes, and increased stubble burning in neighbouring states have exacerbated pollution levels, prompting calls for preventive measures.
The Supreme Court had relaxed its earlier blanket prohibition on fireworks in the national capital and permitted the sale and use of green fireworks with some conditions.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had imposed Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region with immediate effect on Sunday. (ANI)