New Delhi’s skies have turned ominously hazy once again, as air quality indices nosedive into the ‘severe’ category. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has swiftly imposed GRAP Stage 3 restrictions to combat the toxic smog enveloping the capital.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi plummeted to 410 on Wednesday morning, marking a sharp deterioration from the previous day’s readings. Multiple monitoring stations across the city reported AQI levels exceeding 400, categorized as ‘severe’ by environmental standards. Anand Vihar clocked the highest at 442, while areas like Dwarka and Jahangirpuri fared no better.
Under GRAP-3, a series of stringent measures come into effect immediately. Construction activities involving cement, sand, and other dust-generating materials stand halted across the National Capital Region (NCR). Only critical infrastructure projects deemed essential by authorities are exempt. Industrial units relying on polluting fuels like coal have been ordered to shut down operations.
Public transport sees enhancements with the Delhi Metro increasing train frequencies and deploying additional buses from depots. The odd-even vehicle rationing scheme for private cars kicks in from tomorrow, based on the last digit of registration numbers. E-rickshaws and CNG vehicles receive priority at traffic signals to reduce congestion.
Experts attribute this annual scourge to a deadly cocktail of stubble burning from neighboring states, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and adverse meteorological conditions trapping pollutants close to the ground. Winter’s onset exacerbates the crisis, with calm winds and dropping temperatures preventing natural dispersion.
CAQM Chairman Arvind Nautiyal urged citizens to minimize outdoor activities, especially for children, elderly, and those with respiratory ailments. ‘Wear N95 masks, avoid strenuous exercise outdoors, and use air purifiers indoors,’ he advised. Schools have been instructed to conduct classes online or in well-ventilated spaces where feasible.
The situation remains fluid, with GRAP protocols designed for swift escalation or relaxation based on hourly AQI monitoring. Last year, Delhi endured GRAP-4 emergency measures for weeks, imposing school closures and severe mobility curbs. Authorities are racing against time to avert a repeat, but forecasts predict further decline unless wind patterns shift favorably.
As the national capital chokes under pollution’s grip, renewed calls echo for long-term solutions beyond seasonal fixes. Regional coordination on farm waste management, stricter enforcement against violators, and accelerated transition to electric mobility emerge as urgent imperatives for breathable air.
