Kathmandu. Kathmandu: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has urged one and all to remain alert as air pollution is increasing in the Kathmandu Valley. The KMC Department of Environment said the air quality monitoring machine showed the air quality above 150 meters and people should be alert.

Department Chief Sarita Rai urged the bodies concerned to reduce air pollution as the main cause of air pollution is the smoke emitted from vehicles, road and other construction activities. Likewise, children, senior citizens, people suffering from asthma, respiratory problems and those suffering from chronic diseases are at high risk due to the pollution in the national capital.

KMC has also urged all concerned to maintain their vehicles regularly, not to follow the prevailing pollution standard, not to burn plastic materials, not to keep construction materials on the footpath and to ensure that the industries and factories and hospitals comply with the standards related to air quality and smoke determined by the KMC Pollution Control Standard-2081.