Wed Nov 20 12:07:22 UTC 2024: ## Ghaziabad Chokes: City Ranks Second Most Polluted in India

**Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India –** Ghaziabad has recorded “severe” air quality for the second consecutive day, making it the second most polluted city in India after Delhi. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 434 on Tuesday, a slight improvement from Monday’s 438 but still firmly in the “severe” category. All four monitoring stations within the city showed particulate matter (PM)2.5 as the primary pollutant.

Neighboring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR), including Bulandshahr, Gurugram, and Hapur, also suffered from “severe” air quality. The poor air quality is attributed to unfavorable meteorological conditions, including low wind speed and fog, hindering the dispersal of pollutants.

Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) officials stated that the low wind speed and fog are trapping pollutants, exacerbating the situation. While Ghaziabad has a significant number of industrial units (estimated 100-150), Noida, which experienced “severe” AQI on Monday, saw some improvement on Tuesday, with its AQI dropping to “very poor” levels.

The high AQI levels are causing serious health concerns for residents, particularly children and the elderly. Environmentalist Vikrant Sharma cited road dust, garbage burning, and vehicular pollution as contributing factors to the spike in pollution.

Ghaziabad’s municipal corporation is implementing Stage 4 of its graded response action plan, deploying water sprinklers across 154km of roads and mechanised sweeping machines to combat road dust. Authorities also imposed fines for violations, including garbage burning and improper construction material storage. Despite these efforts, Ghaziabad’s struggle with severe air pollution continues, with a history of numerous “severe” AQI days in recent years.

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