Air quality drops in Noida, Ghaziabad compared to last year, Greater Noida fares better

Air quality in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad remained ‘poor’ with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording an air quality index (AQI) of 300 in Noida, 254 in Greater Noida and 305 in Ghaziabad on Wednesday, signaling the start of the annual deterioration in air quality as the colder months approach.

Noida, which is part of Gautam Budh Nagar district in the National Capital Region (NCR), has seen its air quality deteriorate significantly compared to last year. On October 23, 2023, the AQI in Noida stood at 229, in the ‘poor’ category. However, this year’s AQI of 300 marks a notable decline.

Greater Noida, on the other hand, showed slight improvement. On October 23 last year, the AQI in Greater Noida was 299, while this year it has fallen to 254, although it still remains in the ‘poor’ category, according to CPCB data.

The most alarming deterioration, however, is occurring in Ghaziabad, where the AQI has increased sharply. In 2023, Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 220 on October 23, but this year the figure has jumped to 305, putting it even deeper into the ‘poor’ category.

Experts warn that if this trend continues, Ghaziabad could soon fall into the “very poor” category, which poses significant health risks for residents, especially those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, heart disease and respiratory problems.

According to the AQI scale, values ​​between 0 and 50 are considered “good”, 51 and 100 are “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 are “moderate”, 201 and 300 are “poor”, 301 and 400 are “very bad” and 401 and 450 are “severe”. The AQI is considered “severe+” when it exceeds 450.

Weather experts said the increase in AQI in Noida and Ghaziabad can be attributed to a combination of factors. As winter approaches, the arrival of cooler temperatures and reduced wind speeds prevent pollutants from dispersing, trapping them closer to the surface.

Moreover, stubble burning in neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana, apart from industrial emissions and vehicular pollution, also contribute to deteriorating air quality, they said.

“Pollution levels increase as temperatures drop, especially when winds are calm at night. Lack of wind allows local pollutants to accumulate. Over the past 24 hours, wind patterns have shifted from east to west, which may have an even greater impact on air quality. Moreover, stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana continues to contribute to the worsening pollution situation. As Diwali approaches, we can expect conditions to deteriorate further,” said Mahesh Palawat, vice president of climate and meteorology at Skymet Weather.

While pollution levels remain a pressing concern in the NCR, authorities are stepping up efforts to control emissions by limiting the use of diesel generators, enforcing stricter regulations on industrial production, and promoting cleaner transportation alternatives. clean.

While Greater Noida’s slight improvement offers some hope, the overall air quality in the region remains a concern, with residents urged to take precautions. In response to the alarming air quality levels in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Air Quality Management Commission (AQM) on Monday activated Stage 2 of the response action plan graduated (Grap) to combat “very poor” air quality.