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On Saturday, residents of New Delhi encountered dense smog and fog, signaling a significant decline in air quality as the Air Quality Index (AQI) plunged into the 'Severe' category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPC), the city's overall AQI at 8 am reached 420. Notably, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 457, Ashok Vihar was at 455, Chandni Chowk at 439, and RK Puram at 421, all classified as 'severe' by the air quality standards. The AQI scale categorizes levels from 0-50 as 'good' up to 'severe' for readings between 401-500, with anything above this marked as 'severe plus.'
Visibility issues caused by the heavy smog led to delays in train services, affecting commuters. The Shaabi train from Kanpur to New Delhi was delayed by 39 minutes, the Jansardhan Express from Anand Vihar terminal to Danapur faced a 661-minute delay, the Hazrat Nizamuddin Humsafar Express was behind by 110 minutes, and the Runicha Express from Old Delhi to Jaisalmer was delayed by 24 minutes. This disruption underscores the tangible impact of poor air quality on daily life and infrastructure.
or over three weeks, Delhi's air quality has been stuck in a hazardous state. It first deteriorated to the 'very poor' category on October 30 and lingered there for 15 days before worsening to 'severe' last Sunday, a condition that persisted into Tuesday. Despite a brief respite due to favorable wind conditions on Thursday, the air quality once again edged closer to the 'severe' category by Friday. This persistent smog has not only affected human inhabitants but has had a profound impact on the city's animals, both domesticated pets and street animals, leading to health issues and behavioral changes.
Government Efforts to Combat Pollution
Gopal Rai, Delhi's Environment Minister, demonstrated the government's commitment to addressing air pollution by inspecting the Narela-Singhu border. His visit aimed to ensure the effective implementation of stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This stage includes a ban on Delhi-registered BS-IV and below diesel-operated medium and heavy goods vehicles, excluding those essential for services. Rai emphasized the AAP government's ongoing efforts to reduce pollution levels, stating, "The AAP government is continuously working to mitigate the level of pollution in Delhi. Entry has been banned for those vehicles that cause pollution, as Grap 4 is implemented. Today, we have received several complaints that vehicles are being allowed to enter Delhi without proper checking; hence I am here to inspect the same."
Air quality in the national capital has been a growing concern, with the city grappling with high pollution levels and thick smog for several weeks. The situation on November 22 was slightly better, with the AQI recorded at 371, falling in the 'very poor' category according to the CPCB. This indicates a fluctuating pattern of air quality, subject to various environmental and anthropogenic factors.
In conclusion, the severe air quality in New Delhi poses significant challenges to residents' health and daily activities, leading to disruptions in transport services and necessitating stringent government actions to curb pollution. The efforts by officials to enforce regulations and inspect compliance are vital steps towards improving the city's air quality, although the battle against pollution demands ongoing vigilance and action.
