Delhi's Air Quality Plummets To 'Severe' Levels Despite Emergency Measures

Delhi's residents woke up to yet another day of choking smog and toxic air, as the city's air quality continued to register 'severe' levels on November 4 morning. Despite the imposition of emergency measures, the toxic haze that enveloped the national capital has shown little sign of improvement.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 413, which categorizes the air quality as 'severe'. Key monitoring stations across the city, including Anand Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, and Mundka, reported AQI levels well above 400, according to CPCB data.

The concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter known to enter the bloodstream and pose severe health risks, was found to be seven to eight times higher than the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter in various locations.

This dire situation, often referred to as 'airpocalypse,' has prompted Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (L-G), Vinai Kumar Saxena, to call for an urgent meeting with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The meeting, scheduled for 6 pm, is aimed at discussing further measures to combat the ongoing air quality crisis.

On November 3, the Delhi government took drastic steps to mitigate the crisis by banning non-essential construction work and closing primary schools as AQI levels soared past 500 in some areas. In Anand Vihar, the AQI reached a staggering 999 during the night.

Restrictions have also been placed on diesel and petrol vehicles operating in and around Delhi, a move intended to reduce vehicular emissions contributing to the pollution.

Government agencies are issuing warnings that the situation could deteriorate further in the National Capital Region over the next 15-20 days. This escalation is attributed to an increase in farm fires in neighbouring states, coupled with an expected drop in temperature and wind speed, which tends to trap pollutants in the air.

On November 2, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented a set of restrictions under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the NCR. The GRAP sub-committee, upon assessment, concluded that the air quality situation was set to worsen, thus activating Stage III, designed for 'severe' air quality (AQI > 400).

In a meeting with the L-G, Delhi's Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, urged for action against the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) chairman. Rai alleged that the DPCC chairman had closed the Smog Tower and the Real-Time Source Apportionment System without obtaining the cabinet's approval.

During a late-night inspection at Anand Vihar bus terminus, Rai expressed concerns about the deteriorating air quality. He specifically pointed to BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles arriving from Uttar Pradesh, which, he claims, are contributing significantly to the pollution. Rai appealed to the Uttar Pradesh government to discontinue sending these banned vehicles to Delhi, where only electric and CNG-powered buses are currently permitted.