Smog Returns to Surat as AQI Crosses 180; N-95 Masks Advised

Surat | Gujarat —– IT’s deja vu for the residents in the diamond city of Surat after nearly five years when the Covid-19 first struck in 2020. N-95 masks were made mandatory during the Covid-19 outbreak, now the doctors are advising to wear N-95 masks as protection against the increasing pollution in the diamond city and across Gujarat.

The ‘mask’ days have returned with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing 180. Doctors have warned the residents in the metropolitan cities across Gujarat, especially the patients suffering from respiratory and heart diseases, to not venture out during the early morning and at night and always wear N-95 mask for protection. 

With the onset of winter in Gujarat, the level of air pollution has increased for the last 15 days. Doctors have warned people to always wear N-95 mask as they move out of their residences, as the pollution level in four major cities of Gujarat- Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot has crossed 180. In these cities, the AQI (Air Quality Index) level crosses 200 in the morning and evening, which is considered unhealthy.

Taking serious note of the increasing air pollution in the state’s metropolitan cities with the onset of winter, the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel instructed to prepare an immediate action plan for pollution control. The Chief Minister urged all the departments of the state to take quick steps together to prevent the serious effects of pollution in the future.

Inspection at construction sites begins after the CM’s instructions

As per the Chief Minister’s instructions, the Urban Development Department has already come into action mode. The Principal Secretary of the department held a virtual meeting with the Municipal Commissioners of 17 Municipal Corporations and Commissioners of 6 Regional Municipalities of the state and gave guidance on pollution control measures at construction sites. After this, all the Municipal Corporations immediately started site inspections.

Penal action against 541 sites that did not maintain vigilance during construction

In just three days, the inspection of more than 2,600 sites out of 2,961 construction sites in the state has been completed. This includes 1,303 sites of the old 8 Municipal Corporations and 1,300 sites of the new 9 Municipal Corporations. In addition, 100% inspection of a total of 771 sites under the offices of regional municipalities has also been completed.

A total of 541 sites have been fined for not being vigilant during the inspection. In which 506 sites of the old Municipal Corporation have been fined ₹1.22 crore and 35 sites in the new Municipal Corporation area have been fined ₹1 lakh 5 thousand.

Currently, the Urban Development Department is monitoring and reviewing on a daily basis and is continuously monitoring to strictly implement environmental protection rules during construction.