With cracker bursting gradually picking up and falling temperature, ultrafine pollutants is on the rise, turning the city's air quality 'hazardous'.
Centre's pollution monitor SAFAR had the average levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 (fine, respirable pollutants) at 137 and 269 micrograms per cubic metre respectively at 7.30 PM, as again the safe standards of 60 and 100.
At 313, the air quality index (AQI) was recorded in red zone as 'very poor', which comes with the advisory to avoid outdoor activity and use pollution masks. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee said volumes of PM 2.5 and PM 10 had peaked on October 23, nearing around 150 and 300 micrograms per cubic metres respectively. It had briefly fallen on Tuesday due to strong wind.
The Delhi Government's anti-firecracker team deputed in the north west district seized huge quantity of Chinese crackers in Avantika market while the west district team seized imported crackers at Tilak Market in Ramesh Nagar on Tuesday night.
In a meeting, Environment Minister Imran Hussain also ordered all the concerned agencies to crackdown against violators of dust control norms.