New Delhi: With air quality in Delhi reaching “severe” levels for the third straight day, city authorities have enforced new restrictions and moved primary school classes online. Here’s a breakdown of the current situation and the measures in place:
- Air Quality Status: Delhi’s AQI stands at a hazardous 498, ranking it the world’s second most polluted city after Lahore, Pakistan, which registered an AQI of 770, according to IQAir.
- Most Affected Areas: According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer App, top-polluted areas include Jahangirpuri (AQI 458), Bawana (455), Wazirpur (455), Rohini (452), and Punjabi Bagh (443).
- Travel Disruptions: Smog-induced low visibility has affected flights and rail services across the region:
- Numerous IndiGo flights to and from Amritsar have been delayed.
- SpiceJet flights operating between Delhi and Darbhanga are running behind schedule.
- More than 25 trains arriving at New Delhi Railway Station are delayed by over two hours.
- School Closures: To protect young students, all primary schools have switched to online learning until further notice, as announced by Chief Minister Atishi on social media.
- Stage 3 GRAP Restrictions: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated Stage 3 of the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP), enforcing the following restrictions to curb pollution:
- Ban on non-essential construction and demolition.
- Prohibition of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and NCR areas like Gurugram and Noida.
- Diesel generators are limited to emergency use only.
- Intensified road sweeping and water sprinkling to reduce dust levels.
- Increased public transport services and encouragement of off-peak travel.
- Restricted industrial operations that do not use approved fuels.
- Health Advisory: Medical experts warn residents to stay indoors to avoid adverse health impacts, particularly for vulnerable groups. Health issues linked to air pollution include respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal complications.
- Dr. Sukrit Singh Sethi from Narayana Hospital, Gurugram, highlighted that pollution can lead to systemic inflammation and disturb gut health due to inhaled toxins.
- Impact on Health: Long-term exposure to “severe” AQI affects everyone but is particularly harmful to those with pre-existing health issues. Doctors are seeing an increase in respiratory, gastrointestinal, and metabolic conditions as air quality deteriorates.
Delhi authorities continue to monitor the air quality closely, implementing emergency measures to alleviate the crisis.
