Delhi’s AQI crosses 500; govt allows 50% staff to work from home

New Delhi: Delhi’s severe air quality hits headlines worldwide. As the AQI of several parts of Delhi crossed 500 on Wednesday. Therefore, pollution levels have reached the ‘hazardous level’. Residents of the national capital have to cope with the serious situation. Rush in the hospitals has surged due to pollution. People are facing severe respiratory, lung infections, and other pollution-related diseases.

With the rising air pollution, Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, announced that 50 percent of government staff will be allowed to work from home. In this regard, a meeting will be held with the officials at 1 pm today in the Secretariat.” Rai tweeted in Hindi. This decision is taken to mitigate the pollution levels in the city.

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Delhi Metro made a new record as far as daily ridership is concerned with the commute of 78.67 lakh passengers on November 18, as per the official figure. This milestone was achieved as people prefer to travel through metros amid severe air pollution. A strike by contractual bus drivers and conductors of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has disrupted the public transport in the city.

Experts have issued some advisory for common people during the poor air quality: ‘Stay indoors, stay protected’, go outside in emergencies. Always wear big glasses that cover the eyes and cover the face as well. Try to avoid contact lenses. Use eye drops and gels suggested by a doctor. Try to remain hydrated. Do the exercise indoors.

Shashi Tharoor, the Thiruvananthapuram MP and congress leader, raised a question mark about the capital Delhi due to poor air quality. According to him, the country should think about a new capital. Chennai and Hyderabad are the two options where air quality is clean and far better than Delhi.