Anand Vihar AQI  hits 999, signaling that the pollution conditions in the Delhi-NCR region have once again turned red after a minor improvement earlier this week. Delhi continued to breathe poison despite the Supreme Court’s criticism and the warnings from neighboring states since the AQI is classified as “severe.” Anand Vihar in Delhi had an air quality score of 999, according to the weather agency aqicn.org, while other parts of the city were still classified as “severe.” Like Delhi, Noida’s Sector 62 recorded 647, staying over the “Severe” threshold.

Tuesday’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi was 395, according to reports from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Comparatively speaking, that was better than the 421 recorded on Monday.

As AQI hits 999, the Supreme Court ordered Punjab, Delhi, and the other nearby states to ensure that stubble burning was stopped yesterday amid an air emergency. The Supreme Court instructed Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to put out crop fires, stating, “It needs to end. We don’t care how you do it.”

According to an official on Tuesday, the Haryana transport commissioner has prohibited the movement of vehicles classified as BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel due to the declining quality of the air. Using four-wheeler light motor vehicles of the BS IV (diesel) and Bharat Stage-III (petrol) categories in Gurugram and Faridabad, Gurugram DC, has been prohibited by the Transport Commissioner of Haryana.

Supreme Court: “Firecracker regulations meant for the whole country, not just Delhi.”

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court made it apparent that the rules governing firecrackers apply to the entire nation and are not only intended for Delhi-NCR. Previously, the highest court issued orders prohibiting using prohibited chemicals, such as barium, in firecrackers. Several directives were issued by the Supreme Court in 2021 to ensure that no banned substances are utilized in crackers before Diwali. The Apex Court clarified that using firecrackers was not strictly forbidden and that the only prohibited fireworks were those containing barium salts.

Odd-Even in Delhi as of November 13

Given the likelihood of increased pollution following Diwali, the Delhi administration decided on Monday to enforce the odd-even rule for cars from November 13 to November 20. The Delhi government’s odd-even rule is a traffic restriction that permits private automobiles with registration numbers that end in an odd digit on odd dates and even digits on even dates to drive on the roads. For the past few days, Delhi and its surrounding areas—Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad, etc.—have had inferior air quality, and there doesn’t seem to be any improvement in sight—especially with the approaching Diwali season when people will probably be popping crackers.

Air pollution can occur due to various factors, such as burning crop leftovers after harvest, dry, cold weather, dust, vehicle pollution, stubble burning, and commuting. Medical professionals and experts in the field elucidated the negative impact of air pollution on human health in general. In addition to harming the respiratory system, coronary artery disorders such as heart attacks, strokes, and arthritis are directly related to air pollution.

Also Read: Delhi Air Pollution: Thick Smog Worsens Air Quality