Delhi Chokes Under Severe Plus Air Quality, Despite GRAP Measures

Delhi's air quality took a turn for the worse on Wednesday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching over 440, categorised as 'severe.' This prompted the reimplementation of Stage 4 anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The city has been grappling with toxic air, and some areas reported AQI levels in the 'severe-plus' category.

According to data from the Sameer app, which updates hourly on the National Air Quality Index, 21 out of 37 monitoring stations in Delhi recorded AQI levels in the severe-plus range on Tuesday morning. Notable locations with alarming AQI figures included Nehru Nagar at 480, Anand Vihar at 481, and Alipur at 471.

Severe Pollution Levels

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies AQI levels as follows: 0-50 is "good," 51-100 "satisfactory," 101-200 "moderate," 201-300 "poor," 301-400 "very poor," and above 450 is "severe plus." The last instance of Delhi's AQI reaching severe-plus was in mid-November. The current spike in pollution is attributed to a significant drop in wind speeds.

Stage IV of GRAP includes stringent restrictions such as banning construction activities and prohibiting diesel trucks carrying non-essential goods from entering Delhi. Public offices are required to operate with only half their staff present, while others work remotely. Additional measures like closing colleges and non-essential businesses may be considered if conditions worsen.

Impact of Meteorological Conditions

Experts have pointed out that low wind speeds have allowed pollutants to accumulate in the atmosphere. During winter, Delhi experiences unfavourable meteorological conditions that exacerbate pollution levels. Vehicle emissions, paddy-straw burning, and firecrackers contribute significantly to this hazardous situation.

The Supreme Court had previously permitted relaxation of these curbs by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) after an improvement in air quality earlier this month. However, with pollution levels rising again, authorities have reinstated strict measures to combat the deteriorating air quality.

Health Concerns

Doctors warn that breathing Delhi's polluted air is akin to smoking about ten cigarettes daily. This poses serious health risks to residents, especially vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and may implement further restrictions if necessary.

The ongoing battle against pollution highlights the need for long-term solutions to improve air quality in Delhi-NCR. As winter progresses, residents hope for relief from these hazardous conditions through effective policy implementation and public cooperation.