Delhi’s AQI ‘severe’ at 420, GRAP 4 returns.
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply on Monday, prompting the Union government’s Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reimpose Stage 4 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region (NCR). The Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the 400 mark, reaching the ‘severe’ category, with some areas reporting AQI levels exceeding 420. This alarming spike in pollution has raised concerns over public health, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments.
Measures include a ban on non-essential construction activities, closure of brick kilns and stone crushers, and restrictions on the entry of diesel trucks into Delhi. Additionally, industries operating on non-clean fuels must cease operations.
Residents have been advised to limit outdoor activities, wear masks, and take precautions to mitigate exposure to hazardous air. Authorities are also urging people to use public transport, carpool, and minimize vehicular emissions.
With the air quality remaining grim, experts emphasize long-term solutions like adopting cleaner energy sources and strengthening pollution control mechanisms to prevent recurring crises.
Delhi AQI Today: Severe Air Quality Persists Across NCR
This severe air quality marks another day of alarming pollution levels in the National Capital, posing significant health risks for residents across all age groups.
The worsening air quality in the city comes amid unfavorable meteorological conditions, stagnant winds, and rising levels of particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10, which are key contributors to pollution during winter. Experts suggest that the rapid decline in air quality over the past few days is also due to seasonal factors like stubble burning in neighboring states, emissions from vehicles and industries, and construction dust.
NCR Region Also Chokes Under Poor Air Quality
The air quality in other cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) fared no better, with most areas hovering between the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories. Gurugram, another key NCR city, recorded an AQI of 356, reflecting deteriorating conditions. Faridabad emerged as the least polluted area in the region with an AQI of 258, categorizing its air quality as ‘poor.’
The data highlights the regional nature of the pollution crisis, as neighboring cities face similar struggles. Experts attribute this widespread pollution to common sources such as vehicular traffic, industrial emissions, dust from construction activities, and crop residue burning.
Health Implications of ‘Severe’ Air Quality
An AQI reading above 400, such as Delhi’s current 421, is considered hazardous and can have serious health effects. Prolonged exposure to such high levels of pollution can exacerbate respiratory problems, trigger asthma attacks, and contribute to chronic lung and cardiovascular diseases.
The fine particulate matter PM2.5, which penetrates deep into the lungs and even enters the bloodstream, is a major concern during this period. Symptoms like coughing, throat irritation, shortness of breath, and fatigue are commonly reported among residents when air quality worsens. Health authorities have advised residents to minimize outdoor activities, wear N95 masks, and use air purifiers indoors to mitigate exposure to hazardous air.
Authorities Reimpose Stage 4 Curbs Under GRAP
In response to the alarming pollution levels, the Union government’s Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided to reimpose Stage 4 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region. These measures are aimed at immediately tackling the deteriorating air quality and reducing emissions from various sources.
Under Stage 4 of GRAP, strict restrictions are imposed, including:
- Ban on construction activities involving non-essential projects to curb dust emissions.
- Closure of brick kilns, hot mix plants, and stone crushers, which contribute heavily to particulate pollution.
- Restrictions on entry of diesel trucks (except essential services) into Delhi.
- Industries using non-clean fuels must cease operations.
- Increase in public transport services to encourage reduced vehicular emissions.
Authorities are also intensifying efforts to monitor pollution hotspots, implement road dust control measures, and promote cleaner alternatives for industries and vehicles.
Citizens Advised to Take Precautions
Given the severe air quality, health experts and authorities have issued advisories for the public to take necessary precautions:
- Limit outdoor activities and avoid strenuous exercises, particularly during peak pollution hours.
- Wear protective masks such as N95 when stepping outdoors.
- Keep windows and doors closed to prevent pollutants from entering homes.
- Use air purifiers indoors to improve indoor air quality.
- Stay hydrated and maintain good nutrition to support respiratory health.
Additionally, residents have been encouraged to reduce their personal contribution to pollution by carpooling, using public transport, and avoiding burning of waste materials.
The Road Ahead: Need for Long-Term Measures
While emergency measures under GRAP aim to provide immediate relief, experts emphasize the need for long-term, sustainable solutions to combat Delhi’s recurring pollution crisis. These include transitioning to cleaner energy sources, promoting electric vehicles, improving public transport infrastructure, and enforcing stricter regulations on industrial emissions.
Moreover, collaboration between Delhi and neighboring states is crucial to address stubble burning, which remains a significant contributor during the winter season. Better technology adoption, financial incentives for farmers, and robust implementation of alternatives like crop residue management can help tackle this issue effectively.
Conclusion
With Delhi’s AQI breaching the 400 mark and NCR cities facing similarly dire conditions, the current air quality crisis has underscored the urgent need for both immediate and long-term solutions. While residents grapple with hazardous air, authorities’ focus on enforcing GRAP measures and promoting public awareness is critical to mitigating the situation. However, unless systemic changes are implemented, Delhi and its neighboring regions will continue to face severe air quality challenges year after year.