Delhi Grapples with Severe Air Pollution as GRAP-4 Phase Rolls Out

The national capital of India, Delhi, is once again in the grip of severe air pollution as the fourth phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) was implemented on Sunday. The city, notorious for its poor air quality, is facing a prolonged spell of hazardous conditions, forcing authorities to take stringent measures to combat the issue.

As GRAP-4 swung into action, nearly 50% of government staff has been directed to work from home to reduce vehicular pollution and further strain on the already heavily polluted air. One of the first steps under the new phase was the complete ban on the entry of all polluting trucks and commercial four-wheelers in Delhi on Sunday. Only CNG, electric, and BS VI vehicles from other states are permitted to operate, a move aimed at reducing emissions from the transportation sector.

The air quality levels in Delhi and its neighbouring regions have persistently hovered in the 'severe' category for the past six days. This concerning situation can be attributed to unfavourable wind conditions and particularly calm winds during the night, which prevent the dispersion of pollutants.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital worsened from 415 on Saturday evening to a dismal 460 at 7 am on Sunday. The deterioration in air quality has prompted immediate actions to mitigate the crisis.

Delhi's Education Minister, Atishi Marlena, has announced the closure of primary schools until November 10. For higher classes, students will have the option to shift to online classes to minimize their exposure to the hazardous air. This move comes on the heels of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's decision to shut down both government and private primary schools for two days last week. The escalating pollution levels have created a growing concern for the health and well-being of the city's residents.

The latest air quality data reveals a startling increase in Delhi's AQI. Between October 27 and November 3, it surged by more than 200 points, pushing it into the 'severe plus' category (above 450). On Friday, the 24-hour average AQI peaked at 468, marking the worst air quality recorded since November 12, 2021.

The issue of poor air quality extends to Delhi's neighbouring regions as well. Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Noida, Greater Noida, and Faridabad are all grappling with high AQI levels, reflecting the gravity of the air pollution crisis in the entire National Capital Region (NCR).

Under the Centre's air pollution control plan, all emergency measures, including the ban on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and all types of construction, are to be enforced in the NCR when the AQI crosses the 450 mark. These measures are put in place to protect the health of the residents and reduce the impact of hazardous air.

Officials at the Commission for Air Quality Management, a central government panel responsible for devising strategies to combat pollution in Delhi-NCR, anticipate that the pollution levels will start to decline due to improved meteorological conditions and the imposition of restrictions on certain polluting activities, such as non-essential construction work. However, it's imperative to stay vigilant and continue to take measures to address the root causes of air pollution.

In response to the crisis, the commission had initially deferred the implementation of stricter measures on Friday, citing a declining trend in the AQI. Nevertheless, the prolonged period of severe air pollution calls for sustained efforts to address the problem comprehensively.

Stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana plays a significant role in Delhi's seasonal air pollution woes. According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the capital experienced peak pollution from November 1 to November 15, coinciding with the increase in stubble-burning incidents in these states. On Saturday, stubble burning contributed to 24.5% of the PM2.5 pollution in Delhi, a slight decrease from the 35% recorded on the previous day. This underscores the need for regional cooperation and a holistic approach to tackle the complex issue of air pollution in the region.

As Delhi and its neighbouring areas grapple with the ongoing air pollution crisis, the stringent measures imposed under GRAP-4 are a clear sign of the government's commitment to addressing the issue. The health and well-being of the city's residents are at stake, and it is crucial to take collective action to combat the severe air pollution that plagues the national capital.