The fourth phase of GREP has been implemented in the capital, the aim of which is to control air quality and protect the health of the common people. Despite this, government rules are being openly flouted, due to which the air quality in the capital is continuously deteriorating. On Tuesday, garbage was seen burning on the roadside in Mayur Vihar area. Burning of garbage is completely banned under GRP, as it releases toxic gases and particles into the air. According to experts, pollution rapidly increases the levels of PM2.5 and PM10, which are responsible for respiratory diseases and other serious health problems.
Construction work was going on in some areas of New Delhi, but green nets or dust prevention devices were not installed there. Not only this, a cloud of dust was also seen rising due to continuous plying of buses on the road near Apsara border. This scene appears as if a dust storm is blowing. Due to this, people living in the surrounding areas were forced to face problems.
The rising dust has a negative impact on the air quality and environmental activists say that it directly affects the health of the common people. According to experts, despite implementation of GREP, the effectiveness of pollution control in the capital is being weakened due to ignorance of rules. Environmental activists and experts have urged authorities to install green nets at construction sites, impose strict restrictions on garbage burning and regularly monitor road dust.
Despite the ban, 4,753 calls were received regarding fire in garbage heaps.
According to data released by the fire department, despite the ban, till November 30 this year, 4,753 calls were received regarding fire in garbage dumps in Delhi, while 4,676 calls were received in the same period last year. That means more such incidents have come to light this year. This year, in the month of April alone, 1,030 garbage fire incidents were reported, whereas in the month of November, when Group 4 restrictions were in force, 973 such incidents were reported. The result is that due to the negligence of the Municipal Corporation and the people, there is a problem in breathing. According to a fire department official, incidents of garbage fire are being reported more in Delhi, especially in Yamunapar, Ghazipur Landfill and other areas, causing severe pollution and health problems.
Smoke emanating from garbage fire is deadly
According to experts and doctors, when garbage is burnt, microscopic particles of PM 2.5 enter the lungs through breath. Toxic chemicals released when burning garbage include nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and polycyclic organic matter (POM). Burning treated wood also releases toxic chemicals. Experts say that the microscopic particles PM 2.5 and PM 10 released from burning garbage seriously deteriorate the air quality.
