Smog Chokes Delhi: Severe AQI Triggers Stringent Measures

25 Dec 2023 CW Team

Delhi woke up to a smoggy, with air quality plummeting to the "severe" category due to a combination of low temperatures and calm winds. In response, Environment Minister Gopal Rai called for the immediate reactivation of pollution control teams and re-imposed stringent curbs under Stage-3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

"The situation demands swift action," stated Rai at a press conference. "We have alerted all departments involved in tackling pollution and instructed them to redeploy their teams to address this air quality crisis effectively."

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) at 447, firmly within the "severe" range. Under GRAP, Stage-3 triggers drastic measures including:

Ban on non-essential construction work: All unnecessary construction activity, stone crushing, and mining will be prohibited within Delhi until further notice. Limited exceptions are in place for critical infrastructure projects like national security, healthcare, transportation, and utilities. Vehicle restrictions: Plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers will be banned within Delhi-NCR. This aims to curb vehicular emissions, a major contributor to air pollution.

The GRAP, a wintertime air pollution control plan implemented by the Central government, categorizes air quality and prescribes corresponding action stages:

Stage-1 (Poor): AQI 201-300 Stage-2 (Very Poor): AQI 301-400 Stage-3 (Severe): AQI 401-450 (currently in effect) Stage-4 (Severe Plus): AQI >450

"These measures are essential to bring the air quality under control and safeguard public health," emphasized Rai. "We urge all citizens to cooperate and contribute by minimizing personal pollution sources and utilizing public transportation whenever possible."

Delhi residents brace for a winter shrouded in smog, facing health concerns and inconvenience due to the severe air quality. The effectiveness of the re-imposed restrictions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: tackling Delhi's air pollution crisis requires sustained action and collaborative efforts from the government, citizens, and industries alike.

Delhi woke up to a smoggy, with air quality plummeting to the severe category due to a combination of low temperatures and calm winds. In response, Environment Minister Gopal Rai called for the immediate reactivation of pollution control teams and re-imposed stringent curbs under Stage-3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The situation demands swift action, stated Rai at a press conference. We have alerted all departments involved in tackling pollution and instructed them to redeploy their teams to address this air quality crisis effectively. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) at 447, firmly within the severe range. Under GRAP, Stage-3 triggers drastic measures including: Ban on non-essential construction work: All unnecessary construction activity, stone crushing, and mining will be prohibited within Delhi until further notice. Limited exceptions are in place for critical infrastructure projects like national security, healthcare, transportation, and utilities. Vehicle restrictions: Plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers will be banned within Delhi-NCR. This aims to curb vehicular emissions, a major contributor to air pollution. The GRAP, a wintertime air pollution control plan implemented by the Central government, categorizes air quality and prescribes corresponding action stages: Stage-1 (Poor): AQI 201-300 Stage-2 (Very Poor): AQI 301-400 Stage-3 (Severe): AQI 401-450 (currently in effect) Stage-4 (Severe Plus): AQI >450 These measures are essential to bring the air quality under control and safeguard public health, emphasized Rai. We urge all citizens to cooperate and contribute by minimizing personal pollution sources and utilizing public transportation whenever possible. Delhi residents brace for a winter shrouded in smog, facing health concerns and inconvenience due to the severe air quality. The effectiveness of the re-imposed restrictions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: tackling Delhi's air pollution crisis requires sustained action and collaborative efforts from the government, citizens, and industries alike.