Gurgaon: On both April 20 and 21 (Thursday and Friday), the city finished first in the list of India's most polluted cities. In fact, on both days, it was the only city that reported 'very poor' air quality.Air Quality Index (AQI) on Friday was 338, considered 'very poor', which can cause respiratory illness even in healthy persons from prolonged exposure. It was 334 (again, very poor) on Thursday. Even industrial hub Faridabad recorded 60% lesser pollution, while most of the usual suspects in the list of most polluted cities, such as Delhi was also lower than that of Gurgaon. The city's AQI more than Delhi's by 40% on Thursday, and by 25% on Friday.Experts blamed the rise in level of PM2.5 to dust pollution. "Dust pollution rises as soon as wind speed picks up. In general, particulate matter (PM) disperses with higher wind speed. However, Gurgaon has reported the opposite trend, of increase in pollution with rise in wind speed. This is happening because of dust being emitted by construction sites," said Niranjan Raje, a former member of the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA)."Rise in PM2.5 level clearly indicates that construction of underpasses going on in the city is responsible for rise in PM2.5. Gurgaon contributes the most as tax to Haryana's coffers, and is one of the country's most expensive cities. However, quality of life is here is rapidly decreasing. The city is recording the highest levels of pollution now," said Gurgaon resident Karuna Tiwari, a professor of environmental sciences.Some activists feel destruction of the city's green cover is responsible for rise in dust pollution. "More than 8,000 trees have recently been cut near NH-8 for construction of the underpasses. Green belts are being destroyed regularly. Also, NGT's construction norms are not being followed at the three underpass project sites near crucial junctions. These factors are contributing to higher dust pollution in the city. Gurgaon is soon going to be un-liveable," said Vivek Kamboj of environmental NGO Haryali. Met department expects the situation to get worse next week. "There is forecast of hazy sun and clouds on at least four days of the coming week. Wind speed is also expected to increase. It may lead to further rise in PM2.5 level," said a Met official.

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