Delhi’s air quality dipped to alarming levels again this week, as a thick blanket of toxic smog enveloped the city, pushing pollution readings into the ‘severe’ category. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that several areas in Delhi-NCR recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) levels well above 400, a range that can cause serious health problems even for healthy individuals.
Smog chokes Delhi-NCR
As of 7 am on Wednesday, Wazirpur was the most polluted area in the capital with an AQI of 458, followed by Bawana (451), Chandni Chowk (449), Jahangirpuri (446), and Mundka (444). Other areas, including Rohini, Nehru Nagar, and Anand Vihar, also recorded ‘severe’ pollution levels above 430.
The city’s overall AQI stood at 428 on Tuesday, the worst since December 19 last year, when it had touched 451.
Officials said calm winds and falling nighttime temperatures trapped pollutants close to the ground, forming a dense layer of smog that drastically reduced visibility, dropping to 600 metres at Safdarjung and 700 metres at Palam on Tuesday morning.
GRAP Stage III curbs in force
In response to the worsening air, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed Stage III restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Noida.
The measures include a complete ban on construction and demolition (C&D) activities and restrictions on the movement of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, except those used for essential services.
Non-essential diesel-operated goods vehicles and light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi are also barred from entering the city until further notice. The Delhi government has directed strict enforcement of these curbs, warning that violators will face penalties.
Schools go hybrid
The Directorate of Education ordered all schools up to Class 5 to remain closed, with hybrid classes to be conducted online and offline for higher grades. The CAQM has also advised government offices to stagger working hours to reduce vehicular congestion during peak travel times.
Experts have warned that thousands of daily-wage workers may lose temporary income due to the construction ban. Meanwhile, the CAQM has instructed implementing agencies to intensify enforcement of GRAP measures under Stages I, II, and III simultaneously.
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