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New Delhi: The air of the country’s capital Delhi still remains stifling. Even before Diwali, Delhi engulfs into smoke. National capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the 300 mark and reached the ‘very poor’ category on Monday morning. According to the latest data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi recorded an AQI of 306 at Kartavya Path, indicating a respiratory health emergency in the National Capital Region (NCR).
On Sunday, the AQI was 302, when it was also in the ‘very poor’ category. The air quality around Delhi University, IGI Terminal T3, New Moti Bagh, Dwarka Sector-8 and Anand Vihar was also in the ‘very poor’ range, with AQIs ranging from 309 to 360. Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI of 345 in New Delhi.
This information has come to light in the latest data of SAFAR-India. Due to increasing levels of pollution, people are facing a lot of problems in breathing. The troubles for children and the elderly have doubled. The way air pollution is getting out of control in Delhi, the situation can become even worse. Crowd of respiratory patients is also being seen in hospitals.
To deal with pollution, Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is implemented on the basis of Air Quality Index (AQI). GRAP has four stages. In view of the increasing pollution situation, GRAP-2 restrictions along with GRAP-1 are now in force in Delhi-NCR, but the pollution situation is not expected to improve.
According to the forecast, due to low wind speed, the air quality index (AQI) may remain above 300 i.e. in the very poor category in the coming four-five days. Let us tell you that AQI between zero to 50 is good, 51 to 100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 is ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 is ‘bad’, 301 to 400 is ‘very bad’ and 401 to 400 is ‘bad’. An AQI between 500 is considered ‘severe’.
Mumbai’s AQI is relatively less than New Delhi’s, but in some parts of the city, it is higher than the national capital. According to a report by Indian Express, Andheri East recorded AQI levels between 350 and 440 between October 16 and 20. On Sunday, however, it showed a marked improvement with AQI 119.
The overall AQI was 172 in Mumbai on Sunday on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) dashboard. The AQI at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) was 243, followed by 238 in Colaba, 219 in Sion and Deonar, 216 in Kherwadi and 202 in Worli.
In a bid to tackle air pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management subcommittee has already implemented an 11-point action plan in accordance with Stage-II of the updated GRAP throughout the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
Anti-smog guns were used at construction sites around Delhi, including Sarai Kale Khan and the Rapid Rail construction site, even as the general air quality of the national capital deteriorated.
There is a ban on firecrackers in Delhi even before Diwali. In the notification issued by Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), firecrackers have been banned till January 1, 2024. Environment Minister Gopal Rai had announced a complete ban on firecrackers on September 11. Under Rule 20(A)(6) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, manufacturing, storage, sale (online delivery through online marketing platforms) and burning of firecrackers is banned in entire Delhi till January 1, 2024.
As Delhi grapples with deteriorating air quality, officials and residents are being urged to take precautionary measures to reduce the health risks associated with such conditions. The situation highlights the ongoing fight against air pollution in the national capital and the urgency of finding a permanent solution.
