Delhi’s air quality has taken a significant hit, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching ‘very poor’ levels at 331 on Tuesday morning, ahead of the Diwali celebrations. This deterioration marks the worst air quality in 271 days for the national capital, a decline from an AQI of 60 recorded just last Friday. The situation has been exacerbated by a thick layer of haze blanketing the city, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
In addition to the overall ‘very poor’ AQI, eight areas in Delhi reported ‘severe’ pollution levels. These areas include Bawana, Narela, and Punjabi Bagh. In contrast, the monitoring station at IGNOU in Maidangarhi was the only one to report moderate air quality. PM2.5 was identified as the primary pollutant at most stations, while PM10 dominated at a few others.
Contributing to the worsening air quality are farm fires in neighboring states. Satellite data recorded 1,561 farm fires in Punjab and Haryana from October 1 to November 2, with Punjab accounting for the majority. On November 2 alone, 167 fires were detected, further compounding the pollution problem in Delhi.
In response to these alarming pollution levels, authorities have enacted Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR). Measures include staggering office timings for government and municipal employees in key areas and increasing parking fees to discourage the use of private vehicles. Additionally, resident welfare associations have been requested to provide electric heaters to security personnel to prevent open burning during colder hours.
As the city braces for the Diwali festival, these measures aim to mitigate the impact of air pollution, with the hope of preventing further deterioration of Delhi’s air quality. The authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to adhere to guidelines and contribute to efforts in reducing pollution levels.