Delhi Faces Hazardous Air Quality, AQI at 371

The air quality in Delhi continues to show signs of improvement but remains in the ‘very poor’ category, a slight relief compared to the hazardous levels earlier this week. On Friday, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 371, showing a marginal improvement from Thursday’s 379. However, the air quality had deteriorated to nearly 500 on Tuesday, indicating the severity of the pollution levels earlier this week.

AQI Readings Across Delhi

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), several regions in Delhi-NCR recorded high AQI levels, including:

• Anand Vihar: 410
• Bawana: 411
• Jahangirpuri: 426
• Wazirpur: 413 Other notable readings include Alipur at 389, Ashok Vihar at 395, and Dwarka Sector 8 at 380. Various areas in the city, including IGI Airport (357) and ITO (344), also reported high levels of pollution. AQI levels above 300 are categorized as ‘very poor,’ while anything exceeding 400 falls under the ‘severe’ category.

Pollution Control Measures Intensified

In light of the ongoing air quality crisis, the Central Pollution Control Board’s Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued new directives to improve enforcement of pollution control measures across the National Capital Region (NCR). The CAQM has called for faster verification of fire incidents and stricter penalties for those violating the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Key Directives from the CAQM

• Stronger enforcement in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi: The CAQM instructed states to reconcile discrepancies in Environmental Compensation (EC) cases and expedite fire incident verifications.
• Action Against Stubble Burning: Authorities were urged to take more stringent actions to prevent paddy stubble burning, a significant contributor to air pollution.
• Construction and Demolition Suspended: All Delhi-NCR states were directed to halt construction and demolition activities in accordance with GRAP guidelines.
• Vehicle Inspections: Special drives will be conducted to impound End-of-Life vehicles and penalize individuals lacking valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates.
• Citizen Complaints: Authorities were instructed to resolve public complaints related to pollution promptly, especially those reported via social media and mobile applications.

Focus on Waste Management and Traffic Control

The commission also emphasized the importance of adhering to Supreme Court regulations on brick kiln operations, improving waste management, and curbing biomass and municipal solid waste burning. Managing traffic congestion points effectively is also a priority to reduce vehicular emissions.

The CAQM has made it clear that failure to enforce these measures will lead to strict accountability under the CAQM Act. As the air quality in Delhi remains a major concern, authorities are taking proactive steps to mitigate further pollution in the coming weeks.