Delhi Air Pollution: Schools Shut, Non-Essential Construction Works Banned - Top Developments

The air quality in several parts of Delhi reeled under the 'severe' category on Friday morning with Mundka recording the highest Air Quality Index (498), as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

As the quality of air deteriorated, a thick haze blanketed the skyline of the national capital.

As per the CPCB's data, the Air Quality Index (AQI) for the Lodhi Road vicinity measured 438, while Jahangirpuri recorded 491. In the RK Puram area and at IGI Airport (T3), the AQI was marked at 486 and 473, respectively.

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Concerned over the rapid increase in air pollution levels, the pollution control panel under the Centre's direction enforced an immediate prohibition on non-essential construction activities, stone crushing, and mining in the area.

Restrictions have also been imposed on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.

As a dense and pungent haze blanketed the skyline of Delhi-NCR, the concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and trigger health problems, exceeded the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by a seven to eightfold at multiple locations throughout the region, according to PTI.

All government and private primary schools have been declared holiday for the next two days in view of rising pollution levels.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called an emergency meeting on Friday to review the situation.

Apart from Delhi, several cities in neighbouring Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh also reported hazardous air. These included Hanumangarh (438) and Sri Ganganagar (359) in Rajasthan; Hisar (414), Fatehabad (423), Jind (413), Rohtak (388), Sonepat (374), Kurukshetra (343), Karnal (343), Kaithal (379), Bhiwani (355), Faridabad (368) and Gurugram (297) in Haryana; and Ghaziabad (286), Noida (313) and Greater Noida (402) in Uttar Pradesh.

Scientists have warned of further deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR over the next two weeks. Health professionals have expressed concerns that air pollution is increasing asthma and lung problems in children and the elderly. Hence, they advise people to use air purifiers in their homes.

According to government data, Delhi's air quality in October 2023 was the worst since 2020, with meteorologists attributing it to the absence of rainfall. The capital recorded an AQI of 210 in October, compared to 210 in October last year and 173 in October 2021, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

In contrast to October 2022 (129 mm) and October 2021 (123 mm), Delhi experienced only one rainy day (5.4 mm of precipitation) in October 2023.

According to a numerical model-based system developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, vehicular emissions (11 per cent to 16 per cent) and stubble burning (seven per cent to 16 per cent) currently stand as the two major contributors to Delhi's air quality.