Delhi Chokes As Air Quality Stays 'Severe'; Schools Closed, Anti-Pollution Measures Enforced: Top Points

Delhi continues to grapple with a shroud of dense haze, as data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that the city's air quality remains firmly within the 'severe' category. This marks the fourth consecutive day that the national capital has endured such dire air quality conditions. The CPCB data indicates that most monitoring stations across Delhi recorded an air quality index (AQI) exceeding 400 at 7 am.

Specifically, the AQI readings were as follows: 478 in Bawana, 461 in Dwarka Sector 8, 401 in ITO, 475 in Jahangirpuri, 466 in Mundka, 460 in Narela, 446 in New Moti Bagh, 447 in Okhla Phase-2, 469 in Punjabi Bagh, 464 in RK Puram, 478 in Rohini, 433 in Siri Fort, and 482 in Wazirpur, among others.

Given the worsening air quality, the Central Government invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday. This final stage of the anti-pollution plan typically comes into effect at least three days before the AQI surpasses the 450 mark in Delhi, although proactive implementation was not feasible this time.

The primary driver of air pollution in Delhi-NCR remains stubble burning. This season, Punjab recorded 17,403 cases of stubble burning, with 78 percent of them (13,617) occurring in the past eight days. On a single Sunday, 3,230 farm fire incidents were reported in Punjab, along with 109 cases in Haryana.

Top developments:

• Closure of primary schools in Delhi until November 10 due to deteriorating air quality, with the option for classes 6 to 12 to conduct sessions online.
• Invocation of Stage IV of the Centre's anti-pollution plan, entailing restrictions on non-essential truck movement, construction works, and work-from-home directives.
• Possibility of state governments implementing additional emergency measures, including the closure of colleges, non-essential commercial activities, and odd-even vehicle usage based on registration numbers.
• The Commission for Air Quality (CAQM) urging the implementation of all emergency measures under Stage IV of GRAP in Delhi-NCR.
• Noida and Gurugram in the NCR also experiencing 'severe' air quality since November 3.
• Increased purchases of air purifiers in Delhi, with medical professionals advising the use of masks and home air purifiers to combat the heavily polluted air.
• The Delhi Environment Minister's focus on enforcing strict regulations, including restricting construction work and certain vehicles, controlling garbage, and biomass burning, as well as encouraging the use of public transport. Collaboration with the Central government is being pursued for effective implementation.