AQI in Delhi drops to 226; toxic foam seen floating on Yamuna River in Kalindi Kunj area

Delhi engulfed in smog with poor air quality, residents urge government action, toxic foam seen in Yamuna River.

A thin layer of smog engulfed the national capital on Saturday as the Air Quality Index dropped to 226, categorized as 'Poor' as per the Central Pollution Control Board.

The highest AQI was at the Akshardham and Anand Vihar area at 334 categorized as 'Very Poor', followed by AQI of 253 at AIIMS and surrounding areas.

At India Gate, the AQI dropped to 251, categorised as 'Poor.

A resident, Ashish Kumar Meena said that pollution near Akshardham area had increased a lot in the past two days which had been causing problems to the residents.

Speaking to ANI, he said, "The pollution level here has increased a lot in the last two days. It has led to choking in the throat and breathing issues and has also been causing irritation in the eyes. After Diwali, the pollution levels will increase more. The government needs to take steps to control the level of pollution. People who are burning substances in the fire should be imposed with fines. The ones who have respiratory problems must be suffering so much."

Another resident said that the people should use more public transport which would help in reducing the pollution. "People should use more of public transport and try to use carpooling. This would help in reducing the pollution levels in the city," he said.

On October 18, Bharartiya Janata National Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla reached the 'Smog Tower' to protest over the same. Slamming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the BJP leader said that Arvind Kejriwal had cheated the people in the national capital in the name of air pollution now their health has been put at risk.