Gurugram: Haryana's air turned hazardous on Thursday (November 5) in the run-up to Diwali, with several of its cities among the most polluted in the country. Panchgaon in Gurugram district recorded the worst reading at an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 391, followed by Bahadurgarh at 348 and Gurugram city at 322, while Rohtak and Sonipat also recorded elevated particulate levels. Residents in several areas reported respiratory discomfort, eye irritation and throat problems, and medical experts urged the elderly, children and people with existing conditions to take extreme care.

Source: Mirror Now

The readings came as precautionary measures mandated by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) took effect across the Delhi-NCR region from November 5 through November 20. Dust-generating construction and demolition work is banned for the period, covering linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges and pipelines, the Gurugram administration said.

Source: Mirror Now

In Gurugram, Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh's order, issued on Tuesday in compliance with the CAQM directions, also requires all Haryana government and private offices in the district to operate with no more than 50 per cent of staff attending physically, with the remaining employees working from home. Industrial establishments and essential services where such an arrangement is not feasible are exempt.

Source: ANI

Essential construction is also exempt from the ban: work linked to railways, the metro, airports, hospitals, water supply, sanitation and national security may continue. Sub-divisional magistrates and Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) officials will conduct daily inspections to enforce the order, and violations can invite action under Section 14 of the CAQM Act, 2021, and other applicable laws.

Source: Top Indian News

Enforcement has already widened beyond Gurugram. In Jhajjar, authorities demolished eight unauthorised ready-mix concrete plants after the HSPCB sought action to curb dust emissions, and the National Green Tribunal has issued notices to 28 companies in Rohtak over alleged violations of environmental norms.

Source: Mirror Now

Meteorologists attribute the smog to dry weather and low wind speeds trapping smoke and dust. Dr Madan Khichar of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University said dry conditions are expected to persist until about November 10, with a possible weather shift and rainfall around November 14 that could bring some relief. District teams are also patrolling to monitor compliance, including oversight of firecracker storage and use in line with Supreme Court directions.

Source: Mirror Now