Delhi’s​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ air crisis became even more severe this week as Delhi’s Air Quality touches 457, characterizing one of the worst pollution days for the capital in the whole month of December. Despite the implementation of the strictest anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV, air quality went down to the deep “severe” category, which led to various curbs being imposed by the authorities to limit the exposure risks further.

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Pollution Levels Surge Amid Harsh Winter Conditions

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data revealed that various stations in the city spot air pollution levels reaching unprecedentedly high levels. Numerous monitoring stations recorded high Air Quality Index (AQI) values, with some districts coming very close or even exceeding 450.

The increase in air pollution also goes hand in hand with frigid temperatures, absence of wind, and rising moisture – all of these meteorological factors are known to create an environment that favors the accumulation of pollutants near the ground, preventing their mixing with upper layers.

Experts explained that areas experiencing no air movement combined with motor emissions, dust from the construction sector, and the continuation of stubble burning in the adjacent states were identified as the main reasons for this situation.

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Stricter Measures Under GRAP Stage IV in Effect

When the air pollution in Delhi reached an AQI level of 457, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented the measures of the fourth stage of the GRAP that corresponds to the worst pollution situations.

Every effort to respond at this fourth level should be geared towards emergencies and entail such extreme measures as thoroughly stopping the demolition and construction works, doing away with the usage of old diesel vehicles, lessening the factories’ emissions, and limiting people in offices while students attend hybrid classes to have less contact with the outside world.

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Public Health, Economic Impact, and Outlook

Medical practitioners caution that long-term inhalation of air containing pollutants at levels categorized as “severe” in the air quality index can not only promote the development of chronic diseases but also cause episodes of asthma, and increase hospital admissions related to ailments of the lung and heart.

Weather reports suggest modest relief from the pollution problem towards the end of the week. Until such time, both the administration and the public are putting up with the smog and health warnings.

In brief, Delhi’s Air Quality touches 457 for the second time this month, pointing out the upsurge of the pollution challenge and highlighting the need for emission regulations of a longer-term nature to be put in place as soon as possible.

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