Delhi choking on air? Non-essential construction banned as 'Severe' pollution grips city

New Delhi: In a dramatic response to worsening air quality, Delhi has seen non-essential construction activities banned as part of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), implemented by the Centre's pollution control panel. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a concerning 402 at 5 pm, pushing it closer to the 'severe' category, prompting urgent action.

Severe air quality calls for stringent measures

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the body responsible for devising pollution control strategies, convened to address the deteriorating air quality situation in Delhi-NCR. The panel issued directives to curb pollution, stating that due to unfavorable meteorological conditions, pollution levels were "expected to increase further."

Understanding the GRAP stages

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) classifies actions into four stages based on AQI levels:

1. Stage I - Poor (AQI 201-300)
2. Stage II - Very Poor (AQI 301-400)
3. Stage III - Severe (AQI 401-450)
4. Stage IV - Severe Plus (AQI >450)

Stage III involves a complete halt on non-essential construction and demolition work, with exceptions made for vital government projects, mining, and stone crushing. Additionally, it restricts the entry of light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi and diesel-consuming trucks, as well as medium and heavy goods vehicles (except those engaged in essential services).

Challenges mount as pollution soars

Delhi witnessed a hazy day with a 24-hour average AQI of 392, categorizing it as "very poor." Despite these alarming conditions, at least 18 out of 37 monitoring stations reported AQI in the "severe" category, highlighting the city's struggle with air pollution.

Areas in severe AQI category

Numerous areas experienced AQI values surpassing the 400-mark, including Anand Vihar (450), Bawana (452), Burari Crossing (408), Dwarka Sector 8 (445), Jahangirpuri (433), Mundka (460), NSIT Dwarka (406), Najafgarh (414), Narela (433), Nehru Nagar (400), New Moti Bagh (423), Okhla Phase 2 (415), Patparganj (412), Punjabi Bagh (445), R K Puram (417), Rohini (454), Shadipur (407), and Wazirpur (435).

Fog and humidity complications

The weather department predicted shallow fog in Delhi for the next three days, with a relative humidity of 70% at 5:30 pm.

Delhi high court takes action

The Delhi High Court weighed in on the air quality issue, placing responsibility on the forest department to enhance AQI levels. Justice Jasmeet Singh expressed concern over children suffering from asthma due to polluted air and raised issues regarding encroachment in the ridge area, considered the lungs of the national capital.

As Delhi confronts the challenges of worsening air quality, residents are bracing for the impacts of these stringent measures aimed at curbing pollution.