Delhi continues to grapple with hazardous air quality, with multiple areas recording Air Quality Index (AQI) readings in the “severe” category on Sunday morning.
Key Readings
- Pusa: 426
- Punjabi Bagh: 448
- Jahangirpuri: 467
- Bawana: 471 (highest in the city)
A few areas, including Lodhi Road, Burari Crossing, and Sri Aurobindo Marg, registered AQI levels around 350, falling under the “very poor” category.
Impact on Daily Life
- Flight Disruptions: Visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) dropped to 800 meters by 7:30 a.m., leading to 107 flight delays and three cancellations.
Measures to Combat Pollution
Delhi authorities have enforced Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):
- Vehicle Restrictions:
- Ban on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles.
- 550 traffic challans issued on November 15 for violations, collecting over ₹1 crore in fines.
- Air Quality Monitoring:
- GRAP classifies air quality into four categories, with the “severe” range set between AQI 401-450, and “severe plus” for AQI >450.
Sources of Pollution
- Stubble Burning: Accounted for 37% of Delhi’s air pollution as of Thursday.
- Vehicular Emissions: Contributed 12% to the overall pollution levels.
Authorities are intensifying enforcement to mitigate violations and address the crisis, though the scale of the challenge remains significant.