New Delhi: US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti expressed his concerns about the pollution levels in Delhi, likening them to his memories of growing up in Los Angeles. He also recalled how his daughter was warned by her school teacher against going outside to play due to the air pollution, just as he was given warnings due to the air pollution.
Garcetti remarked, “On a day like this in Delhi, it brings back memories of growing up in Los Angeles where the air was the most polluted air anywhere in America.” He emphasized the similarity by noting, “Where like today, we were given warnings by our teachers that you cannot go outside to play, just as my daughter was given by her teacher today as I dropped her off to school.”
#WATCH | On air pollution in Delhi, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti says, “On a day like this in Delhi, it brings back memories of growing up in Los Angeles where the air was the most polluted air anywhere in America. Where like today, we were given warnings by our teachers… pic.twitter.com/9ijgH8we0h
— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2023
In response to Garcetti’s observations, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai pointed out that the pollution situation in the Indian capital has improved over the years. He stated, “In 2015, there were only 109 days with ‘good’ Air Quality Index (AQI). In 2023, this has increased to over 200 days.” Rai also noted, “The first 15 days of November saw ‘critical’ AQI days” and placed some responsibility on the Central government to coordinate efforts among the NCR states, stating, “The Central government needs to chip in to coordinate between the NCR states. Only Delhi cannot fix the problem of pollution.”
Despite these discussions, Delhi continued to grapple with ‘severe’ air quality on Thursday, with a persistent smoky haze enveloping the city for the third consecutive day. Scientists have warned of a potential increase in pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region in the coming weeks due to factors like farm fires and unfavourable weather conditions. The air quality index in many areas has already exceeded 400, which raises concerns among health professionals about the potential impact on asthma and lung problems, particularly in children and the elderly.
As of 10 a.m., the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 351. In the preceding days, the 24-hour average AQI was 364 on Wednesday, 359 on Tuesday, 347 on Monday, 325 on Sunday, 304 on Saturday, and 261 on Friday.