India

Delhi Chokes As Air Quality Deteriorates For Sixth Consecutive Day

Delhi’s air pollution crisis continues unabated, with the air quality index (AQI) remaining in the “very poor” category for the sixth straight day on Friday. At 7 a.m., the capital’s average AQI stood at 332, while several areas exceeded the ‘severe’ mark of 400, further intensifying health concerns.

NCR Cities Also Grapple With Poor Air Quality

The air pollution crisis has extended to other cities in the National Capital Region (NCR). Official data reveals alarming AQI levels in various locations: Greater Noida at 272, Ghaziabad at 258, Noida at 249, Gurugram at 258, and Faridabad at 166. These numbers reflect unhealthy conditions, affecting millions of residents across the region.

Understanding AQI Levels

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorizes AQI levels into six bands:

Good: 0-50
Satisfactory: 51-100
Moderate: 101-200
Poor: 201-300
Very Poor: 301-400
Severe: 401-450
Severe Plus: Above 450

Coldest Night Of The Season Recorded

As pollution levels soared, Delhi also experienced its coldest night of the season on Thursday, with the minimum temperature dipping to 10.1 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Supreme Court Intervenes

In response to the pollution crisis, the Supreme Court directed the enforcement of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV measures, excluding those affecting schools, until the next hearing on December 2.

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The court criticized lapses in the implementation of GRAP-4 guidelines and warned officials of strict action for non-compliance. It emphasized the need for stringent enforcement to tackle the worsening air quality.

Construction Ban And Worker Support

While restrictions on physical classes remain lifted, the court refused to ease measures under GRAP-3 or GRAP-2 until AQI levels show consistent improvement. It also directed state governments to utilize labour cess funds to assist construction workers affected by the ongoing construction ban.

Key Restrictions In Place

Under GRAP-4, several measures have been implemented:

Truck Ban: Non-essential trucks are prohibited from entering Delhi unless carrying essential goods or operating on cleaner fuels like LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electricity.
Construction Halt: Public infrastructure projects have been suspended to curb dust pollution, identified as a major contributor to the current crisis.

The Road Ahead

As Delhi and its neighboring cities battle hazardous air quality, authorities face mounting pressure to implement lasting solutions. With stringent restrictions and court directives in place, all eyes are on government efforts to alleviate the pollution crisis while safeguarding public health.

Richa Kaushik