Farmers say that there are lack of feasible alternatives to stubble burning.
Eight areas in Delhi are among the top 10 most polluted in the country, data from Central Pollution Control Board has revealed. The Shadipur area has the worst air quality with PM2.5 at 415 that falls in the "severe" category. In Mundka, Bhiwadi, Gurgaon, Wazirpur, Anand Vihar, Okhla, Dwarka, Bawana, Delhi Mathura road areas, the air quality falls under "Very Poor" category. This is an alarming trend and a look at the pollution data from the last three years show that in October, just weeks before Diwali, there has been no change in the pollution levels. In Mumbai, the pollution has been worse than the last two years.
An Air Quality Index between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".
Neigbouring Punjab and Haryana continue to burn stubble despite ban, a strong contributing factor for bad air quality. Farmers say there are lack of feasible alternatives to stubble burning. They also blame the industries and vehicles for being the primary reason for pollution.
The National Green Tribunal has implemented strict norms on stubble burning. The Centre has also approved a large sum of money for modern tools and technology.
A Central Pollution Control Board official said a number of factors are responsible for deteriorating air quality, including vehicular pollution, construction activities and meteorological factors.
Among meteorological factors the main reason is the drop and change of wind speed which is now flowing from the stubble burning areas, another official said.
The Board has deployed 41 teams to monitor the implementation of measures taken to fight air pollution.