Pollution worsens in Kathmandu and its suburbs

In Dhulikhel, the air quality there has been further worsened by a combination of forest fires, burning crop, industrial smoke and especially dust from ongoing road construction.
Lack of adherence to proper construction standards has led to increased dust level.
The under-construction road from Suryabinayak to Dhulikhel has clouded the environment due to which local residents and commuters are facing difficulties.
The dust raised during road construction and the materials and equipment used for construction emit carbon dioxide and other polluting gases aiding to increase in level of air pollution.
Both long and short distance vehicles plying on the BP Highway and Araniko Highway, the Banepa- Dhulikhel-Bhaktapur road are contributing to pollution.
Meanwhile, in the Kathmandu Valley air pollution has been reaching hazardous levels in recent days.
The situation has been deteriorating for the past few years, with air pollution topping the global polluters chart for over a week now.
The data from the Air Quality Index (AQI) shows Kathmandu in second list of chart seconding New Delhi as air pollution level reaches 241 AQI.
This level falls within the category of air quality that poses serious health risks.
Lahore of Pakistan remains in the third as of now.