Delhi Chokes As Air Quality Hits 'Severe' Category; Over 500 Teams Formed To Combat Pollution

• Image Credit: Google

• Nov 4, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Delhi's air quality took a perilous plunge on Saturday as several parts of the city were shrouded in a toxic haze, reaching the 'severe' category...

Digital Desk: Delhi's air quality took a perilous plunge on Saturday as several parts of the city were shrouded in a toxic haze, reaching the 'severe' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The Air Quality Index (AQI) data was alarming, with Anand Vihar at 448, Jahangirpuri at 421, Dwarka at 435, and the Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3) at 421.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', while anything beyond 500 falls under the 'severe plus' category. The situation is dire, as Delhi's 24-hour average air quality on Friday was already in the 'severe plus' category, prompting emergency measures including a ban on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and all types of construction in Delhi and its neighboring areas.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has taken action, constituting 517 surveillance teams with 1,119 officers to monitor open burning, illegal construction, demolition waste dumping, and road dust under its winter action plan. These teams will strictly implement the revised GRAP guidelines issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

Delhi residents are grappling with a hazardous environment, with the AQI at 468 being the worst since November 12, 2021, when it reached 471. The concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter known to pose severe health risks, exceeded the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter by seven to eight times across the region.

As the city's air quality deteriorates, there has been a surge in demand for air purifiers and masks in the Delhi-NCR region. Merchants and pharmacists report an increasing number of residents seeking these items to protect themselves from harmful pollutants.

The deteriorating air quality is a grave concern, not only affecting the health of Delhi's residents but also raising serious questions about the long-term environmental impact. Authorities are now challenged to find effective measures to combat the severe pollution crisis and safeguard public health as winter sets in. The need for collective action, stricter enforcement of anti-pollution regulations, and public awareness campaigns has never been more critical.