Delhi’s air quality took a grim turn on Wednesday, as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to a hazardous level of 442, categorizing it within the ‘severe’ range. Alarmingly, some monitoring stations across the city recorded AQI levels reaching the ‘severe-plus’ category, indicating extremely hazardous air conditions.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 0-50 is considered “good,” 51-100 “satisfactory,” 101-200 “moderate,” 201-300 “poor,” 301-400 “very poor,” 401-450 “severe,” and above 450 “severe plus.” The last instance of such elevated pollution levels occurred in mid-November.
To combat the worsening air quality, Delhi has reactivated Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes stringent measures such as halting construction activities and barring non-essential diesel trucks from entering the city. Furthermore, only 50% of staff in public, municipal, and private offices are allowed to work on-site, while colleges and non-essential businesses are instructed to close down. Additional steps, including implementing an odd-even vehicle policy, could also be on the horizon.
Experts point to a significant drop in wind speeds as a critical factor contributing to the spike in pollution levels, causing pollutants to become increasingly concentrated in the air. During the winter months, Delhi strictly enforces GRAP, which is categorized into four stages — Poor (AQI 201-300), Very Poor (AQI 301-400), Severe (AQI 401-450), and Severe Plus (AQI above 450).
This escalation in pollution has led to renewed concerns among residents and prompted authorities to reinstate stringent measures, aiming to curb pollution and mitigate its impact on public health.
Sources By Agencies
