Thick smog engulfs Delhi as air quality turns 'severe', AQI soared to 413
New Delhi, December 23
Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded 'hazardous' on Tuesday morning, significantly impairing visibility and affecting residents. The AQI reading soared to 413 at around 8 am.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air quality spiked to 'severe' levels in certain areas of the National Capital Region (NCR). Multiple parts of the city continued to witness alarmingly high pollution levels.
CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) has invoked all actions under GRAP Stage-IV in Delhi-NCR.
Several pollution hotspots included Anand Vihar (466), Chandni Chowk (425), and Ashok Vihar (444), also falling under the 'severe' category across large swathes of the national capital.
India Gate, Kartavya Path and Rashtrapati Bhavan were blanketed by toxic smog, with an AQI of 384 in the area, categorised as 'Very Poor'.
In response to deteriorating air quality, GRAP 4 was invoked in the national capital to curb extreme air pollution, and truck-mounted water sprinklers were deployed.
According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Government has taken a series of decisive steps to curb rising pollution levels in the national capital and ensure a cleaner environment. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reiterated that the government will enforce a zero-tolerance policy against all sources of pollution.
A high-level review meeting was held on Monday at the Delhi Secretariat to assess pollution control measures and take effective decisions. Key decisions include strict enforcement of Pollution Under Control (PUC) norms without any waiver of challans, exploring pooled and shared electric bus services in Delhi-NCR, issuing new guidelines for e-rickshaws and rationalising Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus routes.
Senior officials from the Environment and Transport Departments, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Public Works Department (PWD) and Delhi Traffic Police, along with Environment Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa, were present at the meeting.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Living in Anand Vihar is a nightmare right now. The AQI reading of 466 is not just a number, it's the burning sensation in your eyes and throat. The water sprinklers are a joke. Where is the action on stopping stubble burning in neighboring states? Delhi can't fight this alone.
While the steps on electric buses and e-rickshaws are good long-term ideas, what about immediate relief? People are suffering today. The PUC checks are important, but what about the dust from endless construction and the illegal industrial units? Enforcement needs to be 365 days, not just in winter.
It's sad to see our iconic India Gate and Kartavya Path shrouded in poison. This is our national capital. We talk about development, but what about the health of citizens? My parents are afraid to go for their morning walk. This has become a public health emergency, year after year.
I appreciate that the government is holding meetings and announcing policies. However, there is a serious gap between announcement and implementation on the ground. The "zero-tolerance policy" needs to be visible. Where are the fines being levied? The data should be public. Accountability is key.
We all share the blame. How many of us use public transport willingly? How many get our PUC done on time? Government must act, but we citizens also need to change. Carpool, use metro, avoid fireworks. It's our city, our health. Jai Hind.
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