Delhi NCR fights a full-blown air pollution crisis with an alarming AQI prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management to activate GRAP Stage 3, effective from 8 am today. This is the third day on a trot when the national capital’s air quality falls in the ‘severe’ category, reducing visibilities with this thick smog trapping dangerous gases in this region. It is this mix of seasonal factors, stubble burning, and traffic emissions, that has driven the relentless tide of pollution, forcing the authorities to take stricter measures.
GRAP Stage 3 ushers in a period of draconian curbs in pollution mainly from construction activities and motorization. Construction and demolition were barred except for those which are absolutely essential, with earthwork, piling, welding, and painting restricted. Transport for materials like cement and sand, and flyash was also curbed, while projects related to national defense, public infrastructure, and health systems were exempted.
Meanwhile, emissions of vehicles are heavily curtailed. BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles have been barred from coming into the Delhi and NCR region, that comprises of districts such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. Diesel MGVs and non-electric, non-CNG diesel inter-state buses cannot enter into Delhi unless carrying any essential commodities.
In response to deteriorating air quality, the Delhi government shifted physical classes for students up to Class V to online to reduce exposure to harming pollutants. The government, in addition, presented an additional appeal to adapt to practices that can help reduce pollution, including the utilization of public transport, walking and cycling, and working from home when feasible. Delhi Metro has added 20 more trips on weekdays. In addition to 60, this sums up to 80 total trips a day by the metro.
Low visibility has triggered the air quality crisis, which has brought dense fog coupled with a sharp downturn in temperatures. On January 14, Delhi recorded the highest AQI so far this season at 447-an extremely hazardous level. The city is dealing with issues that call for immediate environmental action in order to ward off further health impacts from this involved situation.