Delhi's Air Quality Crisis: A Looming Red Zone
The air in Delhi is thick with smog, and the city has officially entered the 'red zone' with an air quality index (AQI) surpassing 400. This alarming situation has raised concerns for the health of Delhiites and the residents of the National Capital Region (NCR). The 24-hour average AQI of 361 places Delhi as the second most polluted city in the country, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
Several areas, including Wazirpur (420), Burari (418), and Vivek Vihar (411), are experiencing 'severe' pollution levels, while most others are in the 'very poor' range. The situation is particularly dire in the NCR, where Noida (354), Greater Noida (336), and Ghaziabad (339) are also reporting hazardous air, indicating a worsening smog crisis.
The air quality early warning system predicts that Delhi's air will remain in the 'very poor' category for the foreseeable future, with the situation deteriorating to 'severe' levels since Diwali. This has raised questions about the effectiveness of the city's pollution control measures.
The Missing GRAP 3: Why the Delay?
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage 3, a set of stringent measures designed to combat severe air pollution, has not been enforced despite the critical air quality. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) explains that this is because the city's air quality this November has been relatively better compared to the same period last year.
Officials attribute this improvement to timely and coordinated actions across various departments, including dust control, road cleaning, anti-smog operations, and stricter checks on vehicle and industrial emissions. These measures have helped delay the need for harsher interventions.
Despite the progress, the city is still far from achieving the desired air quality standards. The DPCC aims to prevent the need for GRAP Stage 3 by continuing its efforts and with the support of all departments and Delhi's residents. The challenge remains to maintain this progress and ensure the city's air quality meets the required standards.
