Air quality across Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram reached critical levels on Tuesday morning, hitting 500-mark AQI, indicating 'severe plus' conditions. It became the seventh consecutive day of severe smog blanketing the National Capital Region, increasing red flags regarding public health risks.
According to the CPCB, areas such as Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, and Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Delhi reported an AQI of 500 by 5 a.m.
The poisonous air quality is being blamed on adverse weather conditions and widespread stubble burning in the states nearby. Calling the situation a "medical emergency," the Delhi government requested institutions to take urgent measures to protect public health.
As a precaution, several schools and colleges in the NCR have shifted their classes to online, and attendance has been suspended for students of Classes 10 and 12 till further notice. Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have also made the decision to suspend physical classes and will conduct classes online till November 22.
The Supreme Court has now intervened as well in light of the deteriorating air quality, directing all states in the Delhi-NCR region to set up enforcement teams right away and strictly implement the anti-pollution Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in its peak level, Stage 4. The court insisted on the constitutional responsibility that the states have towards all citizens to provide a pollution-free atmosphere and ordered that these restrictions would remain in place until further orders.
According to Stage 4 GRAP restrictions applicable in Delhi-NCR, no trucks are permitted into the city except those carrying essential commodities or operating on clean fuel such as LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric.
Light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi- -all of which are non-essential are also prohibited, except for EVs and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones. All construction works, including highways, roads, flyovers, power lines, pipelines, and other public works, have been stopped. Delhi Lt Governor V.K. Saxena on Monday launched the anti-smog misting campaign by the DDA and inspected a trial run in Dwarka. "In view of the grim air quality index reading of Delhi, this is an occasion when we need to adopt innovative and eco-friendly measures to protect the health and well-being of our residents," L-G Saxena said while inaugurating it.
This anti-smog misting system is a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to mitigate pollution and create a healthier living environment for all," he said. As per the CPCB, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe', and above 450 'severe plus'.
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