As private employees start work from home, and restaurants, malls, educational institutions shut operations, reduced traffic improves air quality in Delhi. By Tanvi Jain
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The partial lockdown in Delhi, in order to control the spread of novel coronavirus, has resulted in major drop in the capital’s pollution level.
The WHO declared pandemic has so far killed at least four people in India and has reportedly infected as many as 201 people in the country.
With private firms giving work from home facility to employees; schools and colleges suspending classes, and malls, gyms, pubs and restaurants shutting operations, there is comparatively much lesser crowd and traffic on the roads, which has therefore led to major drop in AQI level.
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According to aqicn.org, the Air Quality Index in Delhi as of March 20, 2020, was as low as 160 in Jahangirpuri, and as high as 224 in Mandir Marg area.
Last year, New Delhi was declared the most polluted city in the world, with the AQI crossing the 1,000 mark, thereby slipping to hazardous category. Though the air quality remains poor but has at least managed to rise from hazardous to unhealthy, and in some parts to even moderate category.
Moreover, even Bengaluru witnessed major improvement in air quality, where, as of March 20, 2020, the AQI according to aqicn.org, was as low as 59 in SaneguravaHalli, and as has high as 131 in Kadubeesanahalli.
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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently announced the closure of all restaurants, and educational institutions until March 31. He, however, allowed takeaway and delivery services to continue but reduced public gathering to less than 20 people. Moreover, he also informed his plans to stop non-essential public services in the coming days.
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Furthermore, in a recent address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Janata Curfew on March 22, urging people to voluntarily stay indoors from 7 am till 9 pm. He also informed about the proposed formation of a Covid-19 economic response task force, under Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Related: Now You Can Pay & Use Quarantine Facilities At These Delhi Hotels
