Delhi Government Orders Measures To Curb Pollution As More Than '50 Shades Of Grey' Engulf The Capital

As a thick haze shrouded Delhi and air pollution levels breached the 'severe' threshold in numerous areas, a central pollution panel took decisive action on Thursday, 2nd November, by imposing a ban on non-essential construction activities in the National Capital Region (NCR) and prohibiting the entry of diesel trucks into the city.

These measures are part of Stage III of the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP), a comprehensive strategy designed to combat the annual spike in pollution affecting Delhi and its surrounding areas.

The decision emerged from a meeting held by a sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management today, 2nd November, an entity dedicated to formulating strategies to address pollution in the NCR and its vicinity. During the meeting, it was observed that Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) had reached 402 at 5 pm and was anticipated to worsen due to "highly unfavorable meteorological and climatic conditions", as per a report in NDTV.

When the AQI exceeds 400, it falls into the 'severe' category, signaling that air pollution can not only impact the health of the general population but also pose a grave risk to individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

In accordance with the provisions of GRAP-III, stringent measures have been put in place, including a comprehensive ban on construction and demolition activities across the entire National Capital Region (NCR), with a few exceptions for essential projects related to national security, railways, Metro, and sanitation.

Additionally, steps such as road sweeping and daily sprinkling of water with dust suppressants before peak hours will be enforced, while citizens are strongly encouraged to opt for public transportation.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board reveals that Delhi's air quality in October of this year has deteriorated to levels not seen since 2020. Meteorologists attribute this alarming trend to the lack of rainfall in recent months, exacerbated by the surge in stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.

The prevailing weather conditions have caused particulate matter to settle rather than disperse, further exacerbating the deterioration of the Air Quality Index (AQI).