Ghaziabad has been among five most polluted districts in country for three days on the trot, according to records. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in city stood at 338 on November 12, 368 on November 13, and 352 on November 14, making Ghaziabad fifth, third and fourth most polluted district in country.
Residents expressed health concerns and questioned the efficacy of pollution-control measures imposed under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Devendra Tomar, a resident of Vasundhara, alleged that administration failed to ensure compliance with restrictions. Tomar said there were still garbage heaps in Sector 14 and 15 of Vasundhara and parts of Indirapuram. Soil excavated for pipelines is banked on roadsides, causing dust pollution, he said. Sandeep Gupta tagged the district magistrate and municipal corporation on X, drawing attention to the pollution in Trans-Hindon Area.
Another resident, Abhinav Singh, alleged that air quality monitoring stations stop functioning when pollution levels become very poor. Several residents claimed that the air quality monitoring station in Indirapuram suffered a technical fault two days ago, when pollution levels in the area were reportedly very high. The allegation, however, could not be independently verified.
Complaints regarding violations of GRAP-III restrictions were reported, and pollution department took action, said Ankit Singh, regional officer, UP Pollution Control Board. A team constituted by board is monitoring all areas to ensure compliance, officer added.
According to readings displayed on air quality monitoring boards, high pollution levels were recorded in Govindpuram, Loni, New Tehsil Loni, Sanjay Nagar, Vasundhara and Wave City. District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar has instructed the education department to take precautionary measures in view of the deteriorating air. Since the imposition of GRAP-III, schools across district have been directed to conduct classes for students from nursery to class 5 in hybrid mode, Basic Education Officer O P Yadav said.