Air Pollution

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that it needs a solution to stop stubble burning and also effective measures to control it. Mehta, who was elaborating on the steps taken by the air quality management commission to abate air pollution in NCR and the adjoining areas, replied that he never intended to say that only farmers were responsible for pollution.

"Government and private offices and other establishments are advised to reduce vehicle usage by 30 per cent (by working from home, car-pooling, optimising field activities etc.) People are advised to limit outdoor activities and minimise their exposure," the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for Delhi and surrounding areas sub-committee, headed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Member Secretary, Prashant Gargava, said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature for the day will settle at 29 degrees Celsius. On Tuesday, Delhi's maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 28.6 per cent and 13.4 degrees Celsius, both one notch above and below normal for this time of the year. With a dip in the temperatures and change in the wind direction, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital at 9.30 a.m. was recorded at 362 (very poor) by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

The Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) sub-committee on graded action plan on Monday reviewed air quality as well as meteorological and air pollution forecast and directed the states to strictly implement Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) measures.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai will visit ITO, Near Old PHQ for the installation of Anti-Smog Gun on Friday, according to Aam Aadmi Party sources. An anti-smog gun is a device to combat air pollution which will spray atomised water to settle the dust and other suspended particles in the atmosphere

The already severe condition of the air quality on Thursday evening deteriorated further with pm2.5 concentration at 467 and pm10 concentration at 631 at 9 a.m., according to SAFAR data. There was moderate fog early in the morning, indicative of air quality may not improve much for the day.

According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the AQI slipped to the 'very poor' category on Tuesday. "The average wind speed is less than 10 kmph, and low wind speeds do not disperse pollutants. The air quality could begin improving from November 7 onwards with strong winds," it added.

The AQI touched 190 at the US Embassy at 6 p.m. after an AQI of 213 at 11 a.m. and an AQI of 210 at 12 noon on Wednesday. The US government website also gave a warning: "Everyone may begin to experience health effects when AQI values are between 151 and 200. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects." The meteorological agencies have predicted an AQI of 500 plus for Thursday and Friday when Delhiites burst crackers on Diwali day.

The AQI reached the 'hazardous' category in Delhi Institute of tool Engineering in Wazirpur area with 450, followed by Punjabi Bagh at 401. Also, AQI crossed 300 in other parts of delhi. At 10.30 a.m., ITI Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 337 and ITI Shahdara was at 367 (unhealthy). The national capital saw a drop in the minimum temperature, while light haze was also visible due to pollution.

In its outlook for the subsequent five days, the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, that comes under the Ministry, said that the air quality is likely to deteriorate on November 5 and 6 significantly and may reach the upper end of the "very poor" category. PM2.5 to be the predominant pollutant. Delhi's air quality on Monday morning was pegged at the "very poor" category with its AQI settling at 302 and by evening, it increased to 306.