Danger from smog and pollution, administration imposed Grap-3 restrictions (Photo: Jagran)
Jagran correspondent, Panipat. Once again the poison of pollution has dissolved in the air in NCR. After clean air in the last few weeks, the level of pollution has once again increased amidst smog. To control pollution, the Air Quality Management Commission has imposed Group-3 restrictions. Under the restrictions, polluting industries and brick kilns are closed.
Mechanical sweeping of roads and water sprinkling is increased, there is strictness on the use of polluting fuels like coal, wood, diesel generators, while government and private offices may be advised to adopt work from home. On Saturday, the air pollution of Panipat continuously reached dangerous levels. The average air quality index was recorded at 311, while on an hourly basis it also crossed the 400 mark. Arrangements like strictness on construction works, complete ban on open burning of garbage and leaves, ban on use of diesel generators, regular cleaning of roads and water sprinkling have to be ensured. Apart from this, there is a provision to increase surveillance on polluting industries and impose fines on those who violate rules.
However, the reality is that the effect of these restrictions is hardly visible at the ground level. Open burning of garbage, dust-raising construction work and smoke emanating from traffic are further increasing pollution. Experts believe that if Grap-3 is not strictly implemented, the situation may worsen in the coming days. After the implementation of Grap-3, the responsibility of the administration increases further. Municipal Corporation, Pollution Control Board and District Administration have to jointly monitor. It is mandatory to take immediate action on mechanical sweeping, water sprinkling on roads, covering at construction sites, burning of garbage and running public awareness campaigns. Besides, the health department also has to remain alert and issue advisories for children, elderly and sick people. The weather has also not reduced the problems of the people. The maximum temperature recorded in Panipat on Saturday was 14.2 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature was 5.0 degrees Celsius. Due to cold winds and dense fog, visibility is extremely low in the morning and night, due to which the risk of road accidents has also increased. Due to cold, people are forced to remain confined to their homes, while laborers working in the open are being affected the most.
According to the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of dense fog and further drop in temperature in the coming 24 hours. It can also have a direct impact on air quality, because cold air and fog trap pollutants in the atmosphere for a long time. Dr. Sukhdeep Kaur, in-charge of emergency at Nagrik Hospital, said that this kind of weather and pollution levels are extremely dangerous for asthma, respiratory diseases, allergies and heart patients. Children and the elderly are being advised to take special precautions. Use of masks, avoidance of going out in the morning and evening and use of warm clothes are said to be necessary.
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