On Saturday, the air quality index passed the 500 mark, indicating that the air quality was extremely dangerous and unsuitable for breathing in Agra.
agra,UPDATED: November 6, 2022 03:13 AM IST
On Saturday, the air quality index in Agra passed the 500 mark. (File photo)
By Siraj Qureshi: Despite extreme measures to control air pollution in Agra, including relocating all polluting industries, shifting public transportation to greener fuels and imposing restrictions on the use of diesel generators in the city, air quality is rapidly deteriorating in the city .
On Saturday, the air quality index passed the 500 mark, indicating that the air quality was extremely dangerous and unfit for breathing. The Fatehabad Road, the tourist hub of the city, which connects the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, registered very poor air quality.
While the Commissioner of Agra has instructed government agencies to plant trees along roadsides and use water sprays to reduce particulate matter (SPM), the medical community has demanded that the government immediately implement a graduated response action plan to combat the pollution. .
The hospitals and private clinics in Agra are seeing a sharp increase in the number of patients with respiratory complaints and the SN Medical College reported an increase in respiratory patients in OPD. People with any form of respiratory complaints are advised to stay indoors.
Senior physician Dr. SK Kalra told India Today that pregnant women and the elderly are most at risk, as the PM2.5 particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream and can damage the brain of the developing fetus.
Taj Trapezium Zone Authority member and former Agra MLA Kesho Mehra said an immediate moratorium should be imposed on all construction activities in Agra, including the construction of government projects such as the metro. He said government officials who fail to do their duty should be punished.