Delhi Half Marathon 2017: The event kicks off today even though pollution levels have risen slightly
Right before the Delhi Half Marathon is
set to begin today, pollution levels in the city have risen slightly even after a small dip due to rains. The organisers of the Half Marathon had said that they will go through with the event despite warnings from
a top medical association which said that the marathon could
harm the health of the runners who would participate in the event. The
pollution levels in Delhi had risen throughout because of many factors like vehicle emissions, road dust and
crop burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
recorded the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi-NCR at 301 and 308 in Delhi at 7 PM. The air quality in Delhi on Saturday evening was "very poor" and is expected to remain "very poor" for at least the next three days.
For the Delhi Half Marathon,
traffic restrictions have been put into place on over a dozen roads, including Rafi Kidwai Marg, Lodhi Road, Bhishma Pitamah Marg, Janpath Rajpath and Parliament Street.
The organisers of the marathon have claimed that severe pollution levels in Delhi have not deterred people from joining the marathon and have said that around 35,000 people have signed up to participate, which is at least a 1,000 more than last year.
This will be the 13th edition of the race, which is one of the top Half Marathons in the world. Because of the Indian Medical Association
calling for its cancellation due to the rising pollution levels, the Half Marathon has been mired in controversy this year.