The CAQM recommended the activation of phase two of the Graded Action Plan (GRAP), which includes stringent restrictions aimed at reducing airborne pollutants. Emergency measures implemented as pollution worsens in the national capital.
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply on Tuesday, reaching the ‘very poor’ category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 385 recorded at 8 AM. As winter settles in, the capital is enveloped in a thick haze, prompting authorities to take immediate action to combat the escalating pollution levels.
The situation is dire, with toxic foam visible on the Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj. Areas such as India Gate have reported an AQI of 328, while neighborhoods like Anand Vihar and Kalkaji are shrouded in thick fog. Residents express their frustration, lamenting the state of the environment. “Delhi is dying,” one local remarked, emphasizing the lack of clean air, water, and public cleanliness.
In response to the alarming AQI readings, the sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) convened an emergency meeting on Monday. Following their discussions, they recommended the activation of phase two of the Graded Action Plan (GRAP), which includes stringent restrictions aimed at reducing airborne pollutants. These measures came into effect on Tuesday morning.
Toxic Haze Engulfs the City
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has categorized Delhi’s air quality as ‘very poor’, raising concerns about the health implications for residents, particularly those suffering from respiratory conditions. The CAQM’s recommendations include a series of actions to mitigate the pollution crisis, which have been directed to relevant departments and institutions.
Under the GRAP framework, four levels of restrictions are implemented based on AQI readings: GRAP-1 (AQI 201-300), GRAP-2 (AQI 301-400), GRAP-3 (AQI 401-450), and GRAP-4 (AQI over 450). As the city navigates these phases, specific measures are enforced to curb pollution sources.
The effectiveness of these new initiatives remains to be seen. With the winter months bringing further challenges to air quality, residents and officials alike are left to wonder whether the latest efforts will provide much-needed relief from the suffocating smog enveloping Delhi.
