NEW DEHLI – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has moved the Under-23 One-Day tournament from Delhi to Mumbai due to dangerously high levels of air pollution in the capital.
The Indian media reported that the air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas has been classified as hazardous, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 342, ranking it as one of the most polluted cities in the world.
The experts warn that pollution levels may worsen in the coming days, prompting the BCCI to take precautionary measures by relocating the matches.
The move comes as a part of broader health and safety concerns, with the Indian Supreme Court also advising that sports activities be conducted indoors wherever possible to minimize exposure to harmful air.
The Mumbai Cricket Association will now host the tournament, which is scheduled to take place from November 25 to December 1.
It may be mentioned here that the whole region including Pakistan is grappling with the challenging environment and poor air quality. The reports earlier had emerged that Pakistan ranked as the most polluted country in the world, surpassing all others, with India coming in second, according to recent global air quality assessments.
The environmental experts reported that Lahore recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 304, a level deemed extremely hazardous to human health.
Experts warned that an AQI above 302 poses serious health risks, increasing the likelihood of respiratory and other diseases.
The rise in pollution has been attributed to crop residue burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial discharges.
The authorities have warned that air quality may deteriorate further in the coming days, urging citizens to limit unnecessary outdoor activities and use protective masks.
In response, the Environmental Protection Department continues operations against pollution-causing sources, while the Lahore district administration and Transport Department have intensified crackdowns on smoke-emitting vehicles to curb the worsening situation.
Air pollution claims 2.1m lives in India, besides 8.1m globally
