NOIDA: NCR residents are facing health issues such as burning and itching eyes, breathing problems, sore throat and cough due to high pollution levels. While masks — a stark reminder of the Covid pandemic — are out again, most residents are avoiding morning and evening walks and remaining indoors. Some senior citizens whom TOI contacted have also started using nebulisers. LR Nautiyal (70) from Siddharth Vihar in Ghaziabad, who has been on a nebuliser for some time now, said, Senior citizens live like hostages in the house from morning till evening. It has become mandatory to close all windows and doors so that outdoor pollution cannot enter. Even then, I face breathing trouble. It seems as if the lockdown of the Covid era is back. The situation is scary.Track the pollution level in your cityNK Negi, another resident of Siddharth Vihar, said, The area is a concrete jungle in the absence of a park. No agency is sprinkling water on roads here. The UPPCB and Authority officials do not even visit. Masks are out again. Residents are purchasing air purifiers and avoiding unnecessary outings. Children and senior citizens are suffering the most.Anjana Bhagi, RWA president of Sector 11, said most residents in her sector are elderly, with various health issues, and the pollution levels have made their lives difficult. Currently, nearly 40 senior citizens are using nebulisers or oxygen support. A few kids are also using nebulisers. The senior citizens would sit in the park during evenings and talk. But now, no one comes out. They say they feel breathless, and so, they remain indoors, she said.Umesh Sharma, RWA president of Sector 122, said a dozen residents are in hospitals with respiratory problems. Children have stopped playing outdoors, and most residents have stopped going out. Many residents are spraying water around their houses to check dust pollution. The RWA, along with the Noida Authority, has been spraying water in the area five times daily since November 1, he said.Pawan Goel, RWA president of blocks B, C and D of Sector 48, said with many facing breathing trouble, the RWA recently arranged for sprinkling water on all trees.Residents of Ace City in Sector 1, Greater Noida West, have also been sprinkling water from sewage treatment plants on parks and towers. According to the societys AOA, the same will continue till Diwali and may extend beyond, depending on the need.Ace City has nearly 2,532 flats, where 8,000 residents live. Many of them complained of dust allergies on Monday. Children are the most vulnerable, often having bouts of sneezing and coughing, said Harish Kumar, AOA secretary.Officials with the Noida Authority said they are ensuring periodic sprinkling of water in different parts of the city and imposing fines for untended construction and demolition waste. Given the number of complaints, it appears these efforts are not enough.

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